European stocks ended a five-session losing streak this evening as a rally in banks and resource stocks gave markets a boost, but Wall Street was only marginally higher because of continuing concerns about interest rates and inflation.
Frankfurt gained 1.5%, while Paris ended up 1%. London's FTSE closed 62 points higher at 6,568, with Barclays up 1.5% after US hedge fund Atticus Capital urged the bank to drop its $87 billion bid for Dutch rival ABN Amro.
In Dublin, the ISEQ climbed 97 points to 9,479 after heavy losses last week. Elan added 62 cent to €14.52 and CRH rose 36 to €35.94. Banks were also strong, with Bank of Ireland up 30 cent to €15.60, but Independent News & Media dropped 10 to €3.60 after a report commissioned by 8% shareholder Denis O'Brien criticised the board.
On Wall Street, the Dow Jones was 18 points higher at 13,442 and the Nasdaq was up four at 2,577.
Japanese share prices ended with modest gains this morning after an upgrade to Japan's first-quarter economic growth, dealers said. Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei-225 index of leading shares added 0.31% to 17,834 points.
