European Markets Continue Strong Week, Rising Thursday

London, UK (AHN) - European markets rose for a fourth consecutive day as global markets remain strong this week with solid gains booked in Asia and the U.S. coming into the last day of trading.

The Dow Jones Stoxx 600 rose 2.4 percent to 203.62 on Thursday. Shares of Barclays and Siemens AG were strong, up more than 4 percent as financials bounced on strength from the U.S. after President-elect Obama named Paul Volcker to head the Economic Advisory Panel.

Britain's FTSE 100 rose 73 points or 1.8 percent to 4,226. The index was pushed higher by financial and commodity related names. Prudential PLC rose 8.8 percent while Rio Tinto added 5.3 percent.

Xstrata, the diversified mineral company, was the strongest FTSE component, up 12.3 percent on Thursday.

Germany's DAX added 104 points or 2.3 percent to 4,665. Financials lead the German markets as well with Deutsche Bank rising 10.9 percent and Allianz SE adding 9.2 percent.

France's CAC-40 was also strong, adding 80 points or 2.5 percent on Thursday to 3,250.

Elsewhere, India markets were halted due to the Mumbai attacks, marking the first time trading has been halted in over three years. Stock-index futures have fallen while the markets have been closed.