Spanish stock market rises

Madrid, March 18 (IANS) The Spanish stock market index Ibex-35 rose 0.18 percent to close at 8,978.80 points, up from the 8,962.80 points of the previous session.

On Thursday's session, ArcelorMittal shares led rises climbing 9.52 percent, followed by OHL, Acerinox, Repsol, Merlin and Tecnicas Reunidas that rose 4.40 percent, 3.81 percent, 2.49 percent, 2.18 percent and 1.72 percent, respectively, Xinhua news agency reported.

On the other hand, Banco Popular shares led falls losing 3.28 percent, followed by Bankia, Bankinter, Grifols, Banco Sabadell and Indra A that lost 2.88 percent, 1.81 percent, 1.60 percent, 1. 23 percent and 0.79 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, Spain's risk premium closed at 120.2 points, slightly above of Wednesday's closing time, and Spain's 10-year bond interest rate closed at 1.4 percent.