Stock markets buoyed by German recovery and US interest rate delay

Berlin recorded its fastest growth since the early days of the eurozone debt crisis, while oil prices rose marginally after Wednesday's dip to below $30 a barrel

A solid performance by the German economy and hints of a delay to the next US interest rate rise calmed nerves in London and New York after a week of panicked stock market trading that has left many investors counting huge losses.

The Dow Jones index of leading US corporations climbed 225 points on Thursday while the FTSE 100 reversed a 130 loss in early trading to finish 42 points lower at 5918.