Closing stock market indices

Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Monday.
EUROPE STOCK EXCHANGE: European shares fell to a fresh 5-1/2 year closing low, weighed down by fears of an economic downturn, but Volkswagen sky-rocketed after Porsche raised its stake in its rival German auto group. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares closed down 1.6 percent at 816.04 points - the lowest close since May 2003.
FRANKFURT STOCK EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 4334.64 points, up 38.97 or 0.91 percent.
PARIS STOCK EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 3067.35 points, down 126.44 or 3.96 percent.
ZURICH STOCK EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 5500.94 points, down 174.15 or 3.07 percent.
MILAN STOCK EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 14852 points, down 538 or 3.50 percent.
MELBOURNE STOCK EXCHANGE: Shares slid 1.56 percent to a fresh four-year low as investors across the region continued to focus on the prospect of a global recession. The S&P/ASX 200 index lost 60.2 points to close at 3,809.2, its lowest close since October 29 2004, and the fourth straight day of declines.
JOHANNESBURG STOCK EXCHANGE: South Africa's rand recovered against the greenback as exporters offloaded dollars in the market, but stocks were knocked by further global recession fears and weaker metal prices hit miners.
The All-share index closed at 18363.7 points, down 95.43 or 0.52 percent. The All Gold index closed at 1461.06 points, up 40.32 or 2.84 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 14910.91 points, up 168.78 or 1.14 percent.
SINGAPORE STOCK EXCHANGE: Singapore's financial markets are closed Monday for a public holiday. Trading resumes Tuesday.
KUALA LUMPUR STOCK EXCHANGE: Malaysia's financial markets are closed Monday for a public holiday. Trading will resume on Tuesday.