Brussels, March 16 (QNA) - European stock indices closed higher Monday, as lower oil prices brought calm to investors who had been affected by the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 index closed up 0.45 percent, after falling 0.45 percent earlier in the session. The index ended a three-day losing streak thanks to gains in real estate stocks (1.48 percent) and energy stocks (1.2 percent).

The UK's FTSE 100 index rose 0.55 percent to 10,317 points, Germany's DAX gained 0.50 percent to 23,564 points, and France's CAC 40 climbed 0.31 percent to 7,935 points.

Regarding individual stocks, Commerzbank shares jumped 9% after Italy's UniCredit launched an offer to increase its stake in the German bank. UniCredit shares also rose slightly.

Conversely, shares of Italian hearing aid maker Amplifon plunged nearly 14% to a nine-year low after it announced plans to acquire the hearing aid division of Denmark's GN Store Nord for EURO 2.3 billion ($2.6 billion). (QNA)