Closing stock market indices

Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Thursday.
EUROPE STOCKS EXCHANGE: European shares fell as weak US housing data fanned worries about global growth, hurting financial stocks, while a hawkish European Central Bank dashed any hopes the bank might cut rates any time soon.
The FTSEurofirst 300 index closed down 1.4 percent at 1,282.90 in a volatile session, mirroring losses across the Atlantic where US stocks struggled with news of a default at a home lender.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 6,591.31 points, down 92.4 or 1.38 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 4,678.05 points, down 78.37 or 1.65 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 7,269.87 points, down 68.95 or 0.94 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 25,148 points, down 421 or 1.65 percent.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Shares rose 1.1 percent, halting five straight sessions of losses, led up by resource firms such as BHP Billiton Ltd on record oil prices and a jump in metal prices. The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 58.9 points to close at 5,435.5.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: South Africa's Top-40 rose over two percent to a record high, helped by resource stocks, while the rand weakened after a volatile session of trading in a wide band. The All-share index closed at 31,079.15 points, up 559.32 or 1.83 percent.
The All Gold index closed at 2,727.21 points, up 81.9 or 3.10 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 19,173.95 points, up 235.48 or 1.24 percent.
MUMBAI STOCKS EXCHANGE: Indian stock, foreign exchange and bond markets are closed on Thursday for a local holiday. Trading resumes on Friday.