European stocks close higher except for UK, Spain

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - European stocks closed higher on Thursday, except for the UK and Spain exchange.

The STOXX Europe 600, which includes around 90% of the market capitalization of the European market in 17 countries, rose 2.51 points, or 0.57%, to finish at 441.23.

France's CAC 40 was the best performer of the day, soaring 81 points, or 1.27%, to 6,500.

Germany's DAX 30 gained 144 points, or 1.01%, to 14,485.

Italy's FTSE MIB added 142 points, or 0.59%, to end the day at 24,426.

The UK's FTSE, on the other hand, fell 74 points, or 0.98%, to end at 7,532, while Spain's IBEX 35 lost 3 points, or 0.04%, to close at 8,744.