European stock exchanges close Thursday higher

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 3.05 points, or 0.59%, to close at 516.5.

The UK's FTSE 100 rose by almost 48 points, or 0.59%, to finish the session at 8,231, while Germany’s DAX gained 23 points, or 0.13%, to 18,496.

France's CAC 40 increased 43 points, or 0.55%, to 7,978 and Italy's FTSE MIB added 297 points, or 0.87%, to hit 34,447 by the closing bell.

Spain's IBEX 35 was the best performer of the day, rising 193 points, or 1.73%, to end the day at 11,338.