ISTANBUL 

European stocks closed higher Thursday except for the exchanges in France and Italy.

The STOXX Europe 600, which includes approximately 90% of the market capitalization of the European market across 17 countries, was up 1.79 points, or 0.35%, closing at 515.74.

The UK's FTSE 100 rose 4.57 points, or 0.06%, to end the session at 8,288. Germany's DAX added 44 points, or 0.24%, to reach 18,493

Spain's IBEX 35 was the best performer of the day, increasing 41 points, or 0.37%, to settle at 11,156.

France's CAC 40, on the other hand, fell 0.61 points, or 0.01%, finishing nearly flat at 7,524.

Italy's FTSE MIB declined 1.48 points to close almost flat at 33,310.