European shares finished the day up.

Among the factors, better than expected retail sales in the US last month China’s industrial output accelerated in November while imports into China surged recording their first rise in just over a year.

That spurred gains in resource-related stocks.

Miners and steelmakers gained including BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Xstrata and ArcelorMittal.

Spanish and Greek banks remained under pressure; Banco Santander and BBVA lost value as did Piraeus Bank and National Bank of Greece.

Irish budget airline Ryanair benefited from a rating upgrade from analysts at Cazenove.

Europe’s biggest defence electronics firm, Thales, surged after unveiled a five-year plan to cut its overhead costs.

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