LONDON - Britain's top share index scored a one percent gain, as results sent Lonmin and BSkyB flying, while an undercurrent of M&A hopes also helped inject life into the market. The FTSE 100 closed at 6,484.5 points, up 64.9 or one percent.ROUNDUP:EUROFIRSTEUROPE - European shares ended higher, boosted by stronger bank and resource stocks, amid a a batch of hefty corporate earnings and ongoing merger and acquisition speculation.

Among major movers, UK broadcaster BSkyB jumped after posting robust results, while Credit Suisse languished after it beat earnings expectations but failed to set ambitious targets for the year ahead.ROUNDUP:EUROmarketsFRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 7,455.93 points, up 47.06 or 0.64 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 5,990.13 points, up 30.09 or 0.50 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 9,444.95 points, up 16.68 or 0.18 percent.

MILAN - The All Share Mibtel index closed at 34,040 points, up 61 or 0.18 percent.ROUNDUP:nikkei>TOKYO - The Nikkei share average rose 0.69 percent in thin trade as Sony Corp. and other exporters rose as the dollar extended its gains against the yen.

Trade was relatively thin with many participants away for Japan's Golden Week spring holidays.

Japanese markets were closed on Monday for a national holiday and will also be closed on Thursday and Friday.

The Nikkei rose 119.94 points to 17,394.92.ROUNDUP:hang sengHONG KONG - Blue chips gained 0.34 percent, as HSBC rose after a Dubai-based firm said it had taken a large stake in the bank, and utility stocks jumped as investors sought safe havens in the wake of China's latest tightening measures.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index ended the day up 69.51 points at 20,388.49.ROUNDUP:asx<.5b0>SYDNEY - Shares rose 1.5 percent to a record closing peak, as steady interest rates spurred banks while take-over approaches lifted Coates Hire Limited and Coles Group Limited.

The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index added 91.9 points to 6,237.7, outpacing the previous record close reached on April 18.ROUNDUP:south africaJOHANNESBURG - Mining companies led South African stocks higher with BHP Billiton leading the jump on the back of firmer metal prices and Kumba Iron Ore hit an all-time fresh peak after a stock price upgrade.

The All-share index closed at 28,328.12 points, up 157.52 or 0.56 percent.

The All Gold index closed at 2,867.89 points, up 1.39 or 0.05 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 19,975.39 points, up 27.12 or 0.14 percent.