ISEQ rises above 3,000 barrier

The ISEQ index of Irish shares edged above the psychologically-important 3,000 mark today, rising 40.43 points to 3,005.39.

Irish Life and Permanent declined 4c to 90c after warning that bad debt charges for last year are expected to rise by €80-€100m. Allied Irish Banks inched up 1c to 28c. Bank of Ireland remained unchanged at 38c.

The biggest gain of the day came for CRH, which shot up 63c to €17. Providence Resources was up 26c to €3.36.

There were impressive gains for DCC (up 17c to €22.55) and Paddy Power (up 11c to €28.81).

It was not all good news however. Kerry Group was down 25c to €25.15. FBD was down 15c to €7.50. Irish Continental Group declined 14c to finish on €18.