European stocks ended higher, gaining ground for a third consecutive session as heavyweight mining shares soared on market talk of consolidation in the sector.
London's FTSE 100 index finished up 1.1% to 6,555 points, the CAC in Paris added 0.8% to 5,719, while in Frankfurt the DAX gained 0.7% to 7,994.
Stocks got support from slightly higher-than-expected US monthly jobs figures that eased fears of a sharp slowdown in the US economy but not so much to change expectations for a rate cut by the Federal Reserve next week. Miners gained ground on market talk that Anglo American could launch a bid for Xstrata, sending its stock up 7.9%. Anglo American added 5.1% and Rio Tinto rose 2.9%.
Wall Street shares traded marginally higher as data showing moderate US job gains in November helped limit profit taking following a two-day rally. At 5.25pm, the Dow Jones Industrial Average had edged up 0.16% to 13,641, while the Nasdaq inched up 0.02% to 2709.
In Dublin at 5.30pm, the ISEQ gained 107 points to 7,241 with Grafton jumping 27 cent to €6.02 and DCC adding 41 to €18.66. Technology company Iona dropped five cent to €2.40. Glanbia added five to €4.45 after agreeing to pay a fine to UK authorities following a competition probe.
Earlier, Tokyo's Nikkei finished up 0.5% at 15,956, its highest close since November 7, as a weaker yen boosted shares in exporting companies. Hong Kong stocks fell on as investors cashed in after the market rose for seven straight sessions. The Hang Seng closed down 2.42% at 28,842 as caution set in ahead of the US employment report.
