Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Thursday. LONDON - Britain's FTSE 100 index closed back above the 5,400 level for the first time in a month, buoyed by a clutch of well-received UK trading figures and better-than-expected U.S. data that calmed inflation concerns. The FTSE closed up 73.3 points, or 1.37 percent, at 5,431.9, scoring its fifth straight day of gains. EUROPE - European shares rose more than one percent as upbeat U.S. business data and lower jobs claims boosted a market already buoyed by robust earnings from blue chips such as chemical giant ICI. While a flurry of positive profit and trading statements pulled buyers into the market, some companies disappointed and margin worries hit shares in consumer goods giant Unilever, while a sharp profit fall hurt carmaker BMW. The European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged, as expected, and markets took support from the fact that the central bank's policy statement was not nearly as hawkish as had been priced into interest rate futures markets. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of leading European shares closed at 1,222.79 points, up 1.46 percent or 17.65 points. --More 2352 Local Time 2052 GMT
