Doha: European stock indices closed higher at the end of trading Wednesday, supported by strong earnings results from Europe's largest software company, SAP, while easing trade tensions between the United States and China boosted investor confidence globally. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index closed up 1.8 percent.

According to Qatar News Agency, Germany's blue-chip index outperformed its continental peers, rising 3.1 percent. SAP shares jumped 10.6 percent, marking their best daily performance in six years, after the German company exceeded analysts' first-quarter earnings expectations. This performance led the European technology sub-index to rise 3.9 percent.

The raw materials sub-index saw a 3.3 percent increase as prices for basic metals such as copper rose, driven by easing concerns over trade tensions between the United States and China. Meanwhile, the banking sub-index continued its upward trend this week, closing up 3.8 percent.