European stock markets broke through 40-month highs on Friday led by tech-related firms such as Philips after Nasdaq recorded its largest percentage gain in 10 weeks, Reuters reported. At 0712 GMT on the last day of the financial quarter the FTSEurofirst 300 index was 0.46 percent higher at 1,230 points, after recording a fresh 40-month high at 1,231.15. "The fact that we're approaching the end of the quarter is being seen as a key driver here, although a generally buoyant mood among equities in Japan and much of Europe appears to be providing some support here too," said Matt Buckland, a trader at spread-betting firm CMC Markets. Infineon rose after an upgrade from broker Smith Barney to "buy". It was also helped higher by news that its peer U.S. computer memory chip maker Micron Technology Inc. reported an unexpected quarterly profit overnight. Dutch mail and logistics group TNT shares climbed 2.3 percent after a German newspaper reported UPS was considering takeovers in Europe.
