European exchanges close Thursday with gains

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - European stock exchanges closed with gains on Thursday.

The STOXX Europe 600, which includes around 90% of the market capitalization of the European market in 17 countries, was up 3.30 points, or 0.68%, to finish at 488.54.

The UK's FTSE 100 rose 29 points, or 0.38%, to close at 7,597 and Germany's DAX 30 added 101 points, or 0.6%, to 17,046.

France's CAC 40 increased 66 points, or 0.86%, to reach 7,743 at the final bell.

Italy's FTSE MIB was the best performer of the day, rising 365 points, or 1.17%, to end the session at 31,694.

Spain's IBEX 35 was up 10 points, or 0.11%, to finish the fourth trading day of the week at 9,927.