European stocks climb after big Wall Street gains

By COLLEEN BARRY AP Business Writer

(AP) - European stock markets rose Friday after big gains on Wall Street as China's expression of confidence in Europe's ability to restore its financial stability eased worries about the region's government debt crisis.

Britain's FTSE 100 was up 0.41 percent at 5,216.32, Germany's DAX rose 0.63 percent to 6,137.47 and France's CAC-40 was up 0.38 percent at 3,538.72

"Equity markets are pointing higher once again with bumper gains on Wall Street yesterday, indicating a notable improvement in sentiment," said Ben Potter, a research analyst at IG Markets. "China has evidently made some assurances that they're not going to offload euro reserves."

The show of faith in Europe let markets resume a rally that stalled late Wednesday following a report that China was considering cutting its exposure to European debt. The agency that manages China's $2.5 trillion in foreign reserves denied the report and said Europe would always be one of its major investment destinations.

The euro recovered as a result, climbing to 112 yen levels from around 100 yen the previous day.

Despite a triple dose of sobering economic news, Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average jumped 123.26 points, or 1.3 percent, to 9,762.98 as investors bought exporters including tech companies and automakers.

Japan's government said Friday that unemployment rose for the third straight month in April, prices kept sliding and household spending fell.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng, meanwhile, added 1.8 percent to 19,774.62 and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 1.8 percent to 4,457.5. Benchmarks in mainland South Korea, India and Taiwan also advanced.

Financial markets in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia were closed for national holidays.

Overnight in New York, the Dow Jones industrial average shot up 2.9 percent to 10,258.99 after China reassured investors it doesn't plan to sell the European debt it holds.

In Tokyo trade, Japanese exporters benefited from the euro's rebound against the yen, with Canon Inc. gaining 2.9 percent and Nissan Motor Co. up 2.6 percent.

Financials led Australian gains, with Westpac Banking Corp. rising more than 3 percent. But shares in Australia's second-largest airline, Virgin Blue, plunged 27 percent after the budget carrier slashed its profit forecast for the current fiscal year by more than half due to a fall in leisure travel and increased competition.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 3.3 percent to 1,103.06, and the Nasdaq composite index climbed 3.7 percent to 2,277.68.

In currencies, the dollar rose to 91.16 yen from 90.98 yen. The euro pared some of its gains, slipping to $1.2322 from $1.2362.

Benchmark crude for July delivery was up 9 cents at $74.64 in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.