Europe: Stock markets rise sharply at open

[LONDON] Europe's main stock markets rallied at the start of trading on Wednesday, building on the previous day's bumper gains that were sparked by surging oil prices.

In initial deals, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index rose 0.9 per cent to 6,299.21 points compared with Tuesday's close.

In the eurozone, Frankfurt's DAX 30 index added 1.4 per cent to 9,901.13 points and the Paris CAC 40 also won 1.4 per cent to stand at 4,407.03.

Asian equities also jumped higher Wednesday as a strong trade report from China and news of a deal between Russia and Saudi Arabia to limit oil output injected traders with much-needed optimism.

AFP