Europe's leading stock markets closed with solid gains and a fresh record in Frankfurt on Friday, with London at its highest level in more than five years. The FTSE 100 index of leading shares posted a gain of 0.49 percent to 6,624.98 points, a reading last seen in late 2007. In Frankfurt the DAX 30 index of leading German shares closed with a new record, though it gained only a modest 0.19 percent to 8,278.59 points, while in Paris the CAC 40 was 0.64 percent higher at 3,953.83 points in thin trading as much of the rest of the country enjoyed an extended holiday break.

Europe's leading stock markets closed with strong gains and a fresh record in Frankfurt on Wednesday, with London at its highest level in more than five years. The FTSE 100 index of leading shares posted a gain of 0.40 percent to 6,583.48 points, a reading last seen on November 1, 2007. In Frankfurt the DAX 30 index of leading German shares reached a new record, gaining 0.83 percent to 8,249.71 points, while in Paris the CAC 40 was 0.89 percent higher at 3,956.28 points. bur-wai/bm

Shares in German speciality chemicals maker Evonik Industries began trading at a price of 33 euros on the Frankfurt stock exchange Thursday, in what is being flagged the biggest public listing in Germany this year. Evonik shares are officially listed on the regulated markets in both Frankfurt and Luxembourg from Thursday. Evonik and its owners RAG Foundation and the private equity firm CVC Capital Partners said in a joint statement that the private placement of a total 10.718 million shares the day before had been successful, raising 345.1 million euros ($450 million).

Europe's main stock markets closed mixed on Monday, with London's FTSE 100 index of leading companies ending 0.09 percent lower at 6,280.62 points. In Paris the CAC 40 ended flat at 3,652.13 points, but in Frankfurt the DAX 30 gained 0.24 percent to 7,478.11 points. bur-arp/rl