Closing stock market indices

Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Wednesday.
EUROPE STOCKS EXCHANGE: European shares slipped back from a 10-month closing high, as investors took profits, even as German and US economic data continued to point to recovery. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index of top shares fell 0.5 percent to a close of 973.92 points, breaking a four-day winning streak, and having hit its highest close since early October on Tuesday.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 5521.97 points, down 35.12 or 0.63 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 3668.34 points, down 12.27 or 0.33 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 6176.97 points, down 23.88 or 0.39 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The FT IT All Share index closed at 22987.53 points, up 58.86 or 0.26 percent.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Australian stocks rose 1.1 percent, buoyed by solid economic data from the United States that reinforced expectations for global recovery, while Westfield Group jumped on upbeat results. The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 48.7 points to 4,454.5, its highest close since August 14.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: South African stocks fell for the second straight day, led by resources, while the rand slipped against a resurgent dollar after a less-than-rosy US durable goods report knocked riskier trades. The All-share index closed at 25113.88 points, down 72.22 or 0.29 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2309.48 points, down 34.2 or 1.46 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 19731.16 points, up 184.89 or 0.95 percent.