September 22, 2006	Friday	Sha'aban 28, 1427

LONDON, Sept 21: European stock markets climbed on Thursday as investors drew comfort from falling crude oil prices, and after an overnight bounce on Wall Street, dealers said.

London's FTSE 100 index of leading shares advanced 0.38 per cent to 5,888.60 points, Frankfurt's DAX 30 won 0.33 per cent to 5,974.07 points and in Paris the CAC 40 index added 0.55 per cent to 5,221.52.

The DJ Euro Stoxx 50 index of leading eurozone shares increased by 0.60 per cent to 3,864.42 points. The euro stood at 1.2727 dollars.

US stocks had rallied on Wednesday, holding early gains as the US Federal Reserve came through with a widely expected decision to hold interest rates steady at 5.25 per cent, and with sinking oil prices also lending support.

In Paris, shares in Vivendi Universal won 2.09pc to 28.29 euros after a press report that private equity groups Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Permira Holdings were casting an acquisitive eye over the French media giant.

But EADS shed 1.84 per cent to 22.38 euros after the Franco-German defence group confirmed further delays to its superjumbo Airbus A380 airliner. EADS owns 80 per cent of

Airbus.—AFP