Around the World's Markets: Paris

THE PARIS bourse led other European markets higher: the CAC-40 index rose by 2.5 per cent to close at 4,199.67, up 101.57 points on the day.

Heavy selling of Alcatel sent the index lower in the morning as investors reacted to a Ffr2.5bn restructuring charge. The shares closed 3.60 euros lower at 98.50. But a report from Societe Generale dispelling fears of large bad debt provisions boosted financials, and car shares rose on the Ford bid for Volvo. Oils rallied on a more hopeful line from Total.