Markets hit multi-month highs as risk appetite remains

Leading indices across the world closed up at multi-month highs overnight as investors remain in risk-on mode despite the ongoing eurozone crisis.

The FTSE 100 closed up 1.3% at 5,795 yesterday, its highest level since August last year - just days before the sell-off in markets which knocked over 10% off its value.

Meanwhile shares in Europe also soared, with the German Dax and French Cac 40 climbing.

The Dax gained 1.8%, to close at 6,539 points, while the Cac rose 1.5% to 3,363 points.

Asian shares were mixed with the Nikkei dropping back 0.1% to 8,841 points, while Chinese markets accelerated, with the Hang Seng gaining 0.2%, to close at 20,477.

US markets were off marginally despite gains elsewhere, with the Dow down 0.2% at 12,734 points, and the S&P 500 weaker by 0.6%, at 1,318.4 points.

Elsewhere gold gained once again having surged on Wednesday, with the precious metal up 3.2% in two days, to $1,720.

Investors were cheered by the Fed's accomodative stance on interest rates after it revealed they were not poised to rise until late 2014.