European stocks close higher except in UK

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - European stock exchanges closed Friday higher, except in the UK.

The STOXX Europe 600, which includes around 90% of the market capitalization of the European market in 17 countries, was up 1.57 points, or 0.31%, to finish at 511.45.

Germany's DAX rose 139 points, or 0.77%, to close the second trading day of the week at 18,322. France's CAC 40 rose 26 points, or 0.35%, to 7,449.

Italy's FTSE MIB was the best performer of the day, soaring 712 points, or 2.2%, to finish at 33,040.

Spain's IBEX 35 gained 64 points, or 0.59%, to end the session at 10,949.

The UK's FTSE 100, on the other hand, lost almost 36 points, or 0.43%, to close at 8,311.