European markets made strong gains yesterday as energy shares were boosted by firmer oil prices and tech stocks, hit briefly by a profit warning from Motorola, bounced back sharply. The markets were also boosted by a firm opening on Wall Street.

The pan-European FTSE Eurotop 300 was up 2.5 per cent, while the narrower DJ Euro Stoxx 50 rose 3.25 per cent as markets largely shrugged off fears over US-led attacks on Afghanistan and possible retaliation from supporters of Osama bin Laden, the US's chief suspect for last month's attacks on New York and Washington.