ISTANBUL 

European stocks closed higher on Thursday, except for the IBEX 35 in Spain.

The STOXX Europe 600, which includes around 90% of the market capitalization of the European markets in 17 countries, was up 0.14 points, or 0.03%, to close flat at 518.98.

The UK's FTSE 100 increased 10 points, or 0.13%, to finish the session at 8,269. France's CAC 40 rose 5.8 points, or 0.08%, to 7,503.

Germany's DAX was the best performer of the day, rising 65 points, or 0.34%, to 19,443.

Italy's FTSE MIB added only 1.58 points to remain almost unchanged at 34,698 by the closing bell.

Spain’s IBEX 35, on the other hand, fell 25 points, or 0.21%, to 11,839.