European stocks close: stocks rallied to six-year highs

The stock indices rallied to six-year high, boosted by mining shares. Mining stocks climbed due to an update on market reforms in China.

The stock indices were also supported by European Central Bank President Mario Draghi's comments last week. Draghi said that the ECB could add new stimulus measures in June to tackle low inflation. Increasing concerns over Ukraine had a negative impact on markets. Pro-Russian separatists said that the referendum held in two regions of eastern Ukraine proved successful. Both Ukrainian government and the West condemned the vote.

Sky Deutschland AG shares declined 9.6% after British Sky Broadcasting Group Plc announced the company wants to acquire control of Sky Deutschland AG.

Indexes on the close:

Name                                   Price                                    Change                 Change %

FTSE 100                             6,851.75                             +37.18                     +0.55%

DAX                                      9,702.46                            +121.01                     +1.26%

CAC 40                                 4,493.65                             +16.37                     +0.37%