The Spanish IBEX 35 – containing its 35 largest companies – halted trading shortly after 8am this morning, not resuming until 12:50pm, Reuters reports.

After reopening, Spain’s premier index was 3.5% higher at 6,995 points.

The nature of the fault has not yet been specified, but it comes at a time when Spanish equity markets are very much in the spotlight and investors are nervous about the country’s sprawling deficit and weak economy.

However, positive US data on Friday has lifted markets and, coupled with low trading volumes, continues to provide a boost today.

Other indices are also climbing late this afternoon, with the Dow and S&P 500 both higher in the US, and the FTSE 100 firmer.

The Dow was up 0.6% at 13,171, while the S&P 500 was ahead 0.5% at 1,398 in afternoon trading. Meanwhile the FTSE 100 was 0.6% ahead, at 5,819.