European markets finished higher. In London, the Financial Times-Stock Exchange 100 index was up 96.80 points, or 2.42%, to 4,103.70. UK Retail Sales rose only 0.4% in Sept, down from 0.7% in August, strengthening the argument for a BoE rate cut.

In France, the CAC 40 added 82.90 points, or 2.77%, to 3,075.13. And in Germany, the DAX Index gained 74.59 points, or 2.47%, to 3,090.01 in a rebound from yesterday's selling.

In Asia, the markets posted losses. The Nikkei fell 100.22 points, or 1.15%, to 8,614.30. Stocks fell in Tokyo Thursday on concerns over the economy due to the political mess on stabilizing the banking system. However, the downside was supported by gains in automobile shares on the back of strong earnings outlook from Nissan Motor and Toyota Motor.

In Hong Kong, the market slipped 17.16 points, or 0.18%, to 9,787.49.