European stock markets ended the week in positive territory, with the London FTSE 100 index gaining 1.5% to close at 4,233 points.
In Paris the CAC 40 added 0.7% to finish at 3,291, while in Frankfurt the DAX rose 1.3% to 4,710.
US stocks slumped in morning trading as glum corporate news and a weaker-than-expected report on US retail sales prompted caution after a huge rally a day earlier.
By 5.30pm, the Dow Jones had skidded 3.8% to 8,501 after a 552-point yesterday. The Nasdaq fell 4.3% to 1,528.
After jumping over 4% at this morning's opening, Dublin's ISEQ index closed flat at 2,674. Shares in the banks were badly affected, with Bank of Ireland losing 10% to €1.08. AIB lost 0.8% to €2.95, Anglo Irish closed 25% lower at €1.29 and Irish Life & Permanent finished off 8.8% at €1.55.
Earlier, in Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index closed 2.4% higher and Tokyo rose 2.72% as bargain-hunters took advantage of recent tumbles.
