Europe: Stocks extend gains at open

[LONDON] Europe's main stock markets opened higher on Friday, building on the previous day's strong gains, as Greece appeared closer to a possible overhaul of its bailout.

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index won 0.50 per cent to 6,862.52 points and Frankfurt's DAX 30 climbed 0.30 per cent to 10,952.39.

The CAC 40 index in Paris gained 0.46 per cent to 4,748.04 points compared with Thursday's close.

European stocks had rallied on Thursday as markets welcomed a ceasefire and aid for Ukraine and held onto hopes for a deal over Greece's bailout.

Greece's new Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras edged closer to securing a massive revamp of its huge bailout after making his case on Thursday to sceptical EU leaders including German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

AFP