Energy stocks boost European markets

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

LONDON (AFP) — Europe's main stock markets rallied Friday as energy companies garnered support from surging crude oil prices which boost their profits, analysts said.

In late morning trade, London's FTSE 100 index of leading shares gained 0.90 percent to 6,049.50 points.

Frankfurt's DAX 30 index added 0.44 percent to 6,972.38 points near the half-way stage, and the Paris CAC 40 index increased by 0.90 percent to 4,951.28.

The Euro Stoxx 50 index of top eurozone shares won 0.41 percent to 3,967.88 points.

The European single currency stood at 1.5602 dollars.

Wall Street had jumped higher on Thursday after Verizon Wireless announced it had agreed to buy mobile operator Alltel in a blockbuster 28.1-billion-dollar deal.

Japanese share...