European stock markets surged in subdued trading this evening ahead of the New Year's holiday break.
London's FTSE gained 103 points (2.4%) to end at 4,319, led by mining stocks and Royal Bank of Scotland, which jumped 14% to just under 49p. In Frankfurt, the Dax rose 1.5% to 4,698 and the CAC in Paris closed up 0.5% at 3,131.
In Dublin, the ISEQ closed nine points higher at 2,346. Banks were mixed, with Anglo Irish up two cent to 17 cent but AIB losing nine to end at €1.65. Independent fell three cent to 41 cent but Smurfit Kappa added 15 to €1.73.
US markets reversed course after early gains, with sentiment dampened by rising oil prices. The Dow Jones was 77 points lower at 8,438 and the Nasdaq was down 25 points at 1,505. Earlier, Tokyo's Nikkei index ended up marginally at 8,747. The Tokyo market closes with a half-day session on Tuesday and re-opens on January 5.
