European stock markets closed higher this evening with London's FTSE ending up 46 points, or 0.7%, at 6,261. In Paris, the CAC rose 0.7% to 5,075 and in Frankfurt the Dax put on 0.8% to 7,076.
European markets were lifted by better than expected US productivity figures, while banks recovered from initial losses. In London, HBOS gained almost 4% to 499p.
In Dublin, the ISEQ gained 73 points to 6,463, with shares in Anglo Irish Bank up 41 cent to €9.61 in late trading after the bank posted a 17% increase in underlying pre-tax profits for the six months to the end of March. But CRH shares were down three at €23.98 as it warned shareholders of a tough year ahead. Bookmaker Paddy Power jumped 77 cent to €22.97.
In New York, the stronger than expected productivity figures were offset by more weak figures on housing sales. The Dow Jones was 75 points lower at 12,945 and the Nasdaq was down eight at 2,475.
Earlier, Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index gained 53 points to close at 14,102 - a four-month closing high - on the back of stronger energy stocks.
