Closing stock market indices

Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Thursday.
EUROPE STOCKS EXCHANGE: European stocks closed mixed as concerns the European Central Bank is turning more hawkish offset gains by shares including Vodafone and BT based on renewed take-over talk.
German insurer Allianz also weighed after posting mixed earnings, while oil majors such as Total edged down with crude extending its fall after Wednesday's big US fuel inventories increase.
The FTSEurofirst 300 index of leading European shares closed 0.02 percent up at 1,368.74, having climbed for the past five sessions to levels last seen in July 2001.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 5,897.79 points, down 0.69 or 0.01 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 5,126.01 points, down 1.92 or 0.04 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 8,017.96 points, up 5.39 or 0.07 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 29,601 points, up 41 or 0.14 percent.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Shares set a record closing peak as gains in copper and gold prices and signs of strong US economic activity spurred export-driven stocks such as mining giant BHP Billiton.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index rose 31.6 points, or 0.64 percent, to close at 4,977.9, topping the previous closing record set on February 1.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: Iron ore producer Kumba dragged stocks lower as the stronger rand hurt exporters, but traders said the bourse was likely to stabilise in line with international markets. The All-share index closed at 19,631.96 points, down 60.88 or 0.31 percent.
The All Gold index closed at 2,648.62 points, down 14.39 or 0.54 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 13,987.48 points, down 52.4 or 0.37 percent.