Financial bookmakers expected Britain’s FTSE 100 .FTSE to open up 61 to 65 points, or as much as 1.2%, Germany’s DAX .GDAXI to open 49 to 70 points higher, or as much as 1.1%, and France’s CAC-40 .FCHI to be 45 to 65 points higher, or as much as 1.5%.

The FTSEurofirst 300 of top European companies fell for the third day in a row on Thursday, down 0.65%. (Reuters)