European stocks closed with strong gains today, bouncing after the week's sharp drop, as positive US economic data yesterday soothed worries over the global economy.
Shares in Frankfurt ended the day 3.1% higher, while in Paris the CAC was 2.9% higher by the close of business.
London picked up 1.8%, with the Dublin market gaining with a 3.2% pick-up by the end of trading.
The possible return to recession in the euro zone, a floundering economy in Japan, slowdown in China and the Ebola virus outbreak have conspired to rattle investors already fretting about the end of years of US stimulus.
This week has been the fourth week of stock market falls in the US and Europe in a row, while for growth-dependent emerging markets it has been six.
The falls have left global stocks at their lowest since January.
Meanwhile, US markets were also trading strongly on Wall Street after some solid earnings reports from the likes of Morgan Stanley and General Electric.
