LONDON - Britain's top index of 100 leading shares rose more than one percent, as a retreat in US bond yields improved sentiment in stock markets, boosting UK equities, which also benefited from upbeat oils.

The FTSE closed 1.4 percent higher at 6,649.9, with oil responsible for nearly a quarter of that increase.ROUNDUP:EUROFIRSTEUROPE - European shares bounced to their highest close in over a week, with banks and oil producers leading the way, with sentiment buoyed by a stronger performance on Wall Street.

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index ended up 1.5 percent at 1,605.29, its highest closing level since June 5, recovering from the past week's sell-off.ROUNDUP:EUROmarketsFRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 7849.16 points, up 168.4 or 2.19 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 6047.23 points, up 112.96 or 1.90 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 9292.3 points, up 146.23 or 1.60 percent.

MILAN - The All Share Mibtel index closed at 33254 points, up 498 or 1.52 percent.ROUNDUP:nikkeITOKYO - The Nikkei share average rose 0.62 percent as Fanuc climbed on a new factory plan and a weakening yen lifted exporters such as Advantest.

The Nikkei added 109.52 points to close at 17,842.29.ROUNDUP:hang sengHONG KONG - Hong Kong stocks rallied across the board, taking cues from Wall Street after a strong recovery on lower bond yields, with China plays climbing to a record high.

The Hang Seng Index closed up 288.51 points, or 1.4 percent, at 20,867.26.ROUNDUP:asxSYDNEY - Australian shares rose 1.3 percent, after comments by the central bank governor eased concerns of an imminent interest rate rise, while firmer oil and metal prices boosted resource stocks.

The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 80.5 points to close at 6,261.2.ROUNDUP:south africaJOHANNESBURG - South African shares led by banking firm Abil closed stronger, buoyed by gains on US and European stock markets.

The All-share index closed at 28988 points, up 385.05 or 1.35 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2587.12 points, up 4.48 or 0.17 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 19686.79 points, up 287.65 or 1.48 percent.