LONDON - Strong banks pushed Britain's top share index 0.8 percent higher by the close, rebounding after recent falls sparked by Dubai debt concerns, on continuing relief after Wednesday's pre-budget report.

The FTSE 100 closed up 40.48 points at 5,244.37, having ended at its lowest closing level in more than a week on Wednesday.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST

EUROPE - European shares snapped their three-day losing streak, helped by banks recovering from recent losses on worries over some of the region's more exposed economies and Dubai's debt problems.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares closed up one percent at 1,004.9 points, after losing three percent in the pervious three sessions.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROmarkets

FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 5,709.02 points, up 61.18 or 1.08 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,798.38 points, up 40.99 or 1.09 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,410.64 points, up 58.93 or 0.93 percent.

MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 22,795.61 points, up 145.46 or 0.64 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:nikkei

TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei average fell 1.4 percent after a recent sharp rebound, as credit troubles overseas weighed on investor confidence and a stronger yen pressured shares of exporters. In light trade, the Nikkei lost 141.9 points to 9,862.82, falling for a third day after having gained nearly 12 percent in a six-day rally to Monday.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:hang seng

HONG KONG - Stocks fell for a fifth straight day, as investors dumped Chinese property counters and automakers after Beijing imposed new measures on the sectors, while debutant China Longyuan rose.

The Hang Seng Index was down 0.19 percent, or 41.72, at 21,700.04, its lowest in nearly two weeks.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:asx

SYDNEY - Stocks fell 0.7 percent to a near two-week closing low on as lower commodity prices pressured miners, while retailers fell after strong jobs data raised fears of another interest rate rise.

The S&P/ASX 200 index dropped 31.2 points to 4,606.7, its lowest close since November 27.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:south africa

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's stocks rose, boosted by resources and banking shares after three days in the red, while the rand recouped earlier losses against the dollar, partly cheered by a narrower current account deficit.

The All-share index closed at 26,901.28 points, up 171.22 or 0.64 percent.