European stocks rise at open

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index is up 0.52 per cent at the start of trade following gains in Asia.

Europe's main stock markets have climbed at the start of trading, with London's benchmark FTSE 100 index up 0.52 per cent to 6,848.28 points.

Frankfurt's DAX 30 advanced 0.48 per cent on Friday to 9,665.08 points and in Paris the CAC 40 gained 0.34 per cent to stand at 4,370.17 compared with Thursday's closing values.