Europe Stock markets rise as recovery continues

Europe Stock markets risen, helped by a rally in oil prices and hopes of more stimulus action by central banks.

 

London's FTSE 100 index was nearly 2% higher, with share indexes elsewhere in Europe showing similar gains.

Shares had risen strongly on Thursday, following hints from the European Central Bank that it was considering more action to boost the eurozone's economy.

The share rises come at the end of a turbulent week for the markets.

Stock markets had dived earlier in the week as investors fretted over falling oil prices and prospects for China's economy.

Draghi impact

Stock Markets Worldwide tumbled amid Oil Price

On Wall Street the Dow Jones and S&P 500 were 2% lower in early trading, while the Nasdaq fell 2.3%.

The FTSE 100, Germany's Dax and the Cac 40 in Paris are all trading about 2.5% lower - resuming the year's sell-off.

Many markets are now in so called "bear market" territory - a fall of 20% or more from their most recent peak.