Dubai-Mubasher: European stocks opened Thursday higher as Janet Yellen, chairman of the Federal Reserve, said the U.S. economy has improved significantly.

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde predicted a moderate rebound in advanced economies such as the U.S, Europe and Japan.  “The pending rise in the U.S. interest rate will trigger worries and fluctuations in stock markets and may lead some global companies to file bankruptcy,” she added.   

FTSE100 rose 1.34% to 6,143 points, while Germany’s DAX gained 1.11% to 9,768. France’s CAC also picked up 1.4% to 4,517.

Meanwhile, Spain’s IBEX moved 1.3% higher to 9,682, and STOXX Europe 600 rose 1.22% to 352 pts.