European stock markets extend recovery at open

LONDON: Europe's leading stock markets rallied at the start of trading on Friday, building on a recovery that began in the previous session after the ECB hinted at more eurozone stimulus.

London's benchmark FTSE 100 index gained 1.6 percent to 5,862 points compared with the close on Thursday.

In the eurozone, Frankfurt's DAX 30 index won 2.0 percent to 9,762.6 points and the Paris CAC 40 jumped by 2.1 percent in value to 4,293.3.

Indices began rebounding Thursday after the European Central Bank said there were "no limits" to the stimulus measures it might take to boost the eurozone economy.

The week's trading has seen volatile swings, with top European stock markets plunging by 3.5 percent Wednesday on fears over global economic wweakness.