European markets end in positive territory

By Aysu Bicer

ANKARA (AA) - European stock markets closed the last trading day of the week with gains following hawkish messages from the European Central Bank on Thursday.

The ECB described Russia’s continuing war on Ukraine as “a watershed for Europe,” with the Governing Council saying “it will take whatever action is needed and implement the sanctions decided by the EU" to pursue price stability and to safeguard financial stability.

The STOXX Europe 600, which includes around 90% of the market capitalization of the European market in 17 countries, rose 4 points, or 0.95%, to close at 431.17 points.

The UK's FTSE 100 index ended at 7,155, soaring 56.55 points, or 0.80%.

Germany's DAX 30 was up 1.38%, or 186 points, to 13,628 points, while France's CAC 40 rose 0.85%, or 53.05 points, to 6,260 points.

Italy's FTSE MIB was up sharply 154.51 points, or 0.68%, to end the day at 23,041 points, while Spain's IBEX 35 gained 72.80 points, or 0.90%, to 8,142 points.