Closing stock market indices

Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Wednesday.
EUROPE STOCK EXCHANGE: Renewed strength in oil majors after Hurricane Katrina sent crude prices soaring helped European shares close higher, with Total leading the field. Food and beverage shares also stalked oil stocks at the top of the sector leaderboard, with Nestle gaining 2 percent after a broker upgrade to its US eyecare unit Alcon and a price target increase for Danone.
Europe's FTSEurofirst 300 index closed 0.88 percent higher at 1,177.19, despite Wall Street volatility as Katrina's toll became clearer and data showed Midwest economic activity was slower than expected in August.
FRANKFURT STOCK EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 4,829.69 points, up 37.97 or 0.79 percent.
PARIS STOCK EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 4,399.36 points, up 42.7 or 0.98 percent.
ZURICH STOCK EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 6,517.21 points, up 43.99 or 0.68 percent.
MILAN STOCK EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 25,682 points, up 244 or 0.96 percent.
SYDNEY STOCK EXCHANGE: Shares bounced from early lows to end firmer, as banking stocks helped the market offset losses induced by rising oil prices. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index rose 8.2 points, or 0.19 percent to 4,446.8.
JOHANNESBURG STOCK EXCHANGE: Gold mining stocks lifted the South African bourse as bargain hunters lifted gold off its lows, but fashion retailer Edcon tumbled on concerns over a possible Australian take-over. The all-share index gained 0.74 percent or 113.49 points to close at 15,414.01. The All Gold index closed at 1,642.20, up 22.64 points or 1.4 percent. The Industrial index closed up 49.56 points, or 0.44 percent at 11,397.43.