Around the World's Markets: Frankfurt

GERMANY'S ELECTRONIC Xetra DAX index climbed almost 2 per cent, spurred by a strong start on Wall Street and gains in some of Frankfurt's most heavily traded stocks. The index closed up 1.82 per cent - 95.69 points - at 5,364.81, driven higher by gains in Deutsche Bank and Deutsche Telekom.

Deutsche Bank, the session's most traded stock, rose 4.94 per cent to 53.95 euros while Dresdner Bank shares also rose 7.09 per cent amid speculation the group could make a US acquisition.