Europe open: Shares start in upbeat mood after Wall St rally

December's roller-coaster ride for equities continued on Friday as European shares opened higher after another day of volatility on Wall Street.

The Stoxx 600 started the day almost 0.6% higher, with all European bourses taking their lead from the US. London, Paris, Italy, Spain and Germany were all higher.

US markets endured a day of swings, with shares lower at midday but finishing the day higher with the Dow up 1.13%, the S&P adding 0.85% and the Nasdaq 0.38%.

The Dow staged a late rally to wipe out earlier losses and close 260 points higher on Thursday, following its 1,000 point surge in the previous session, its biggest one-day points gain ever, to help bounce back from the Street’s worst-ever Christmas Eve performance earlier in the week.

Adding to the upbeat tone was news that a US government delegation will head to Beijing in January to hold trade talks with Chinese officials.

Investors have plenty on their plate to ponder, trade disputes between China and the US, higher American interest rates, the continuing government shutdown in Washington, Brexit and a slowing Chinese economy.

Volumes remained thin with traders still on holiday and a dearth of corporate news.

Endesa led the fallers as the stock went ex-dividend, while oil explorer Aker BP rose after the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate approved the company's request to drill two exploration wells in the southern Norwegian North Sea.