Closing stock market indices

Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Thursday.
EUROPE STOCK EXCHANGE: European shares raced to a stronger finish as Nokia lifted its forecast for global handset market growth and investors continued to snap up shares in Electricite de France.
Fresh take-over talk in the banking sector as well as strength in mining stocks also helped fuel equity markets. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of leading European shares closed up 0.9 percent at 1,379.3 points, heading back towards the 1,384.78 hit on Monday. That was the benchmark's highest level since July 2001.
FRANKFURT STOCK EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 5,984.19 points, up 69.41 or 1.17 percent.
PARIS STOCK EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 5,240.1 points, up 59.85 or 1.16 percent.
ZURICH STOCK EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 8,035.27 points, up 51.86 or 0.65 percent.
MILAN STOCK EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 29,469 points, up 343 or 1.18 percent.
SYDNEY STOCK EXCHANGE: Shares posted another record high, with mining stocks such as BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto boosted by copper's jump to historic peaks in New York trading. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index rallied 24.5 points, or 0.48 percent, to 5,115.0, erasing Wednesday's previous record closing peak. The index also set a new all-time high of 5,121.6.
JOHANNESBURG STOCK EXCHANGE: Sizzling gold and platinum prices lifted the South African bourse to fresh record highs as investors scrambled after stocks like Harmony Gold. The All-share index closed at 20,677.96 points, up 350.32 or 1.72 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,907.64 points, up 123.66 or 4.44 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 14,542.39 points, up 128.27 or 0.89 percent.
JAKARTA STOCK EXCHANGE: Indonesian financial markets were closed on Thursday and Friday for a public holiday. The markets will reopen on Monday.