European stock markets closed higher this evening amid increased optimism about the prospects for an economic recovery.
In London, the FTSE closed up 65 points (1.5%) to 4,346, with insurer Aviva gaining almost 6% to just under 337p. In Paris, the CAC gained 0.85% to 3,221, but in Frankfurt, the DAX closed only marginally higher at 4,839.
In Dublin, the ISEQ index closed up 42 points (1.5%) at 2,815. Bank of Ireland, which climbed earlier after a broker note said could raise €1.5 billion in September to pay funds back to the State, ended down four cent at €1.77, but AIB gained 13 cent to €2. CRH added 68 cent to €18, but DCC dropped 91 cent to €14.01.
US stock markets were also higher as the market extended gains from the previous session, lifted by this week's generally upbeat economic figures. The Dow Jones was 25 points (0.3%) higher at 8,580, while the Nasdaq added 24 points (.3%) to 1,832. Earlier, Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index closed 83 points (0.85%) higher at 9,786, while the Hang Seng added 144 points to 17,921.
