European exchanges close Thursday with gains

By Ovunc Kutlu

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

The STOXX Europe 600, which includes around 90% of the market capitalization of European markets in 17 countries, was up 2.87 points, or 0.56%, to finish at 517.54.

The UK's FTSE 100 was the best performer of the day by rising 70 points, or 0.86%, to end the day at 8,241.

Germany’s DAX added almost 76 points, or 0.41%, to 18,450. France's CAC 40 increased 93 points, or 1.24%, to close at 7,632.

Italy's FTSE MIB, meanwhile, added 261 points, or 0.77%, to hit 34,106 by the closing bell.

Spain's IBEX 35 increased nine points, or 0.09%, to end the day at 11,066.