European equity close: Solid gains across the continent but well off the highs

Closing changes in Europe:

• Stoxx 600 +0.7%
• German DAX +0.6%
• FTSE 100 +0.2%
• French CAC +0.6%
• Italy MIB +0.7%
• Spain IBEX +0.6%

European stocks finished solidly higher but there was steady selling once the US came online.