European markets were mostly lower, though positive news from the banking sector helped Dublin's ISEQ to buck the trend.
US markets rebounded strongly, however, after banking giant Citigroup said it would receive a $7.5 billion injection from a United Arab Emirates investment fund. The Dow Jones gained 175 points to 12,918 while the Nasdaq added 31 to 2,572.
London's FTSE closed down 0.6% at 6,141 as lower crude prices hit heavyweight energy stocks, though a well-received trading update from Barclays lifted banks. The bank's shares jumped 5.4% to 519p, while Northern Rock gained almost 8% to 117p. Paris fell 0.4% and Frankfurt ended down 0.5%.
In Dublin, banks led the ISEQ 48 points higher to 6,643, with Anglo Irish gaining 33 cent to €9.98 ahead of annual results tomorrow. But food group Greencore fell 21 to €4.18 despite a rise in annual profits after saying that higher raw material prices had led to a difficult second half.
Earlier, Tokyo's Nikkei index closed up 0.58% at 15,223.85, in volatile trade.
