Closing stock market indices

Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Monday.
EUROPE STOCKS EXCHANGE: Relief that the Iraq elections passed without major disruption and signs of renewed corporate activity helped European shares end at levels last seen more than 2-1/2 years ago. Anglo-American fund firm Amvescap extended Friday's gains by 6 percent amid renewed take-over talk, while Woolworths surged 22 percent after private equity firm Apax Partners said it may bid for the British toys-to-sweets chain.
Germany's broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1 Media rose 9.4 percent on reports that publisher Axel Springer may try to buy a controlling stake in it. Telecom Italia gained 2 percent on what analysts said could be buying of the stock by funds flush with cash after taking up the group's buyout offer for stock in its wireless arm TIM.
The FTSEurofirst 300 index of pan-European blue chips was up 0.7 percent at 1,061.8 points, its highest level since mid-2002, and showing gains of about 2 percent for January.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 4,254.85 points, up 53.04 or 1.26 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 3,913.69 points, up 43.34 or 1.12 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 5,771.4 points, up 20.7 or 0.36 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 24,091 points, up 263 or 1.10 percent.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: The share market added 0.2 percent as major banks ended firmer and take-over activity helped underpin the market. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index gained 8.4 points to close at 4,107.3.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: Results from the world's fourth biggest gold miner Gold Fields lifted stocks, with the banking sector also buoyed in anticipation of an interest rate cut next week. The All-share index closed at 12,798.55 points, up 98.74 or 0.78 percent.
The All Gold index closed at 1,545.45 points, up 27.44 or 1.81 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 9,692.03 points, up 100.4 or 1.05 percent.