Closing stock market indices

Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Thursday.
EUROPE STOCKS EXCHANGE: European shares ended higher, extending a winning streak to four days as central banks kept rates on hold as expected and as financials gained. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares ended 0.11 percent higher at 1,572.75 points, with banks the top weighted gainers.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 7944.99 points, down 10.31 or 0.13 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 5804.39 points, down 1.79 or 0.03 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 9053.36 points, down 35.34 or 0.39 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 31492 points, up 114 or 0.36 percent.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Australian shares fell 1.4 percent as top miner BHP Billiton continued to retreat on worries the recent rally in resource stocks may have been overdone, while energy firms fell on weaker oil prices. The S&P/ASX 200 index fell 93.1 points to close at 6,566.9.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: South African mining stocks pushed the local bourse to yet another record close as commodities gained renewed appeal, whereas the rand held steady against the greenback. The All-share index ended 0.52 percent stronger at 30,890.37 points, extending a four-day rally as worries about a global credit crisis abated. The All Gold index closed at 2554.39 points, up 14.05 or 0.55 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 20814.25 points, up 135.89 or 0.66 percent.