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Among the biggest gains were those seen by HSBC, Europe's largest bank, which added six per cent following a successful sale of shares, reports Bloomberg.
Meanwhile, retailer Sainsbury's saw its share price increase by four per cent following investment advice by JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Irish airline Aer Lingus was up by six per cent in Dublin trading after the resignation of chief executive Dermot Mannion.
Chris Watling, chief executive officer of Longview Economics, said in a note that the adjustment of the US economy is well advanced.
He commented: "The case for owning equities in 2009/2010 continues to strengthen. While a retest of the lows cannot be discounted, its likelihood is increasingly diminishing."
Last week, unemployment in the US hit 8.5 per cent, the highest level since 1983.
