FTSE down 0.43%; DAX up 0.82%; CAC 40 up 0.35% (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - New York, 16 Aug - European shares closed mostly higher boosted by a strong close to trading on Wall Street yesterday after strong US retail sales data fuelled hopes that concerns over a recession in the world's biggest economy were overblown.

The Eurostoxx index closed up more than 2% this week, extending its rebound after the August 5 selloff. Investors seemed to have shrugged off concerns over a possible US recession.

The Milan FTSE Mib index outperformed its regional peers as the market reopened after a national holiday.

The London FTSE 100 closed down 0.43% at 8,311.41 points, the Frankfurt DAX added 0.82% at 18,330.24 points, the Paris CAC 40 gained 0.35% at 7,449.70 points, while in Milan the FTSE MIB rose 2.21% at 33,040.81 points, and in Madrid the IBEX 35 closed 0.52% higher at 10,942.02 points.

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(RADIOCOR) 16-08-24 18:26:28 (0389) 5 NNNN