London: European stock indices closed higher Wednesday, supported by gains in bank stocks. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index finished 0.7 percent higher, closing at 584.23 points.

According to Qatar News Agency, the French CAC 40 index rose 1 percent, and the Spanish IBEX index climbed 1.4 percent. The British FTSE 100 index edged up 0.1 percent to 9,911.42 points, while the German DAX index gained 1.22 percent to 24,380.77 points.

Bank stocks were the biggest boost to the Stoxx index, and healthcare stocks in Europe rose 1.1 percent, while energy stocks fell 0.6 percent.