Solid U.S. jobs numbers helped lift the mood on the old continent.
Benchmarks saw a resoundingly positive session Wednesday.
Investors should keep a close eye on homebuilders, REITs and so-called challenger banks.
European benchmarks had seen a solid session a short time ahead of the close Wednesday after receiving a boost from a number of corporate earnings winners and renewed M&A activity.
European stock markets were mixed Wednesday's as investors responded to yet another raft earnings reports, company statements and comments from policy makers across the continent.
Weak banks weighed throughout Europe, but the U.K.'s mid-cap index set a new record.
Company news came back to the fore for European stocks on Wednesday as earnings season approaches.
The banking sector was the biggest source of gains while a recovery in the automotive sector helped to boost markets.
Solid rates of house price growth are unlikely to continue in 2017 as Brexit concerns hit demand, forecasters say.
Analysts got to work ahead of earnings season, making for mixed markets, while the Great Decoupling continued in oil markets.
U.K. stocks are buoyed by retail sales at a 14-year high, prompting a resurgence of consumer and real estate stocks.
A bloodbath in real estate and bank stocks sinks London markets as airlines and industrials weigh on Europe.
The pound rises on the dollar after weak U.S. service sector data.
Purchasing managers' surveys point toward a slowdown in U.K services and manufacturing
U.K. real estate-focused companies got off to another good start on Friday as panic recedes and analysts take a step back.
A falling pound could help luxury goods and technology exports, according to analysts following 'Brexit' implications. But builders and retailers may suffer.
European stocks recover amid relief that the Turkish downing of a Russian military jet on Tuesday hasn't triggered instant retaliation by the Russian government.
