Closing stock market indices

Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Wednesday.
EUROPE STOCKS EXCHANGE: European stock markets closed lower as fears that sky-high oil prices would cut corporate profits dented sentiment, pulling down airline stocks, while British pay-TV firm BSkyB plunged 19 percent on subscriber growth concerns.
Swiss bank Credit Suisse fell 2.6 percent to 38.8 francs and led banks lower after a disappointing update, while Germany's Commerzbank also dampened the market mood with a muted outlook.
Air France lost 3.8 percent and Deutsche Lufthansa slumped 3.2 percent as high oil prices spelt earnings worries for the struggling sector, already fighting cut-throat competition and deep cost cuts.
The FTSE Eurotop 300 index of pan-European blue chips fell 0.8 percent to 975.8 points - just 2.5 percent below the year's low of 951.95 points.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 3,823.74 points, down 53.58 or 1.38 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 3,607.58 points, down 43.22 or 1.18 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 5,518.9 points, down 69.7 or 1.25 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 20,571 points, down 177 or 0.85 percent.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Stocks snapped a seven-day winning streak, shedding 0.23 percent as National Australia Bank resumed its decline but drugs maker Mayne surged on a surprise profit upgrade.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index fell 8.4 points to close at 3,546.0.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Johannesburg Stock Exchange moved sideways with MTN shining after impressive subscriber growth numbers, traders said.
The JSE ALL Share Index gained 0.14 percent or 14.56 points to 10,447.73 points. The All Gold index closed at 1,715.81 points, down 6.18 or 0.36 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 7,386.13 points, down 14.62 or 0.20 percent.