Closing stock market indices

Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Thursday.
EUROPEAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: European equities ended higher, with a key benchmark posting its biggest-ever monthly gain, driven by stronger-than-expected company earnings and on optimism that the market was bottoming out. Investors shrugged off the World Health Organisation's warning that a swine flu pandemic was imminent, and analysts said that the health crisis might pass without having any significant impact on the economy.
Pharmaceutical stocks gained on hopes that the demand for medicines and vaccines would rise. The new H1N1 strain is spreading around the world and 12 countries have so far reported cases of the flu, which has killed up to 176 people in Mexico. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares closed 1.5 percent higher at 828.62 points after hitting its highest since mid-January.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 4,769.45 points, up 64.89 or 1.38 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 3,159.85 points, up 42.91 or 1.38 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 5,225.92 points, up 73.2 or 1.42 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 15,191 points, up 178 or 1.19 percent.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Australian shares rose 2.3 percent to post a second straight monthly gain as top banks rebounded and Macquarie Group rallied ahead of Friday's full-year profit release. The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 85.2 points to 3,780.5, taking gains in April to 5.5 percent after rising 7.1 percent in March.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: South African stocks gained for the second day, boosted by higher world markets and another local interest rate cut, while the rand surged to a new 7-month high against the dollar. The All-share index closed at 20,647.03 points, up 165.26 or 0.81 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,185.76 points, down 147.34 or 6.32 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 15,924.5 points, up 26.93 or 0.17 percent.