Closing stock market indices

Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Thursday.
EUROPE STOCK EXCHANGE: European shares rose more than one percent as upbeat US business data and lower jobs claims boosted a market already buoyed by robust earnings from blue chips such as chemical giant ICI.
While a flurry of positive profit and trading statements pulled buyers into the market, some companies disappointed and margin worries hit shares in consumer goods giant Unilever, while a sharp profit fall hurt carmaker BMW. The European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged, as expected, and markets took support from the fact that the central bank's policy statement was not nearly as hawkish as had been priced into interest rate futures markets. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of leading European shares closed at 1,222.79 points, up 1.46 percent or 17.65 points.
FRANKFURT STOCK EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 5011 points, up 56.17 or 1.13 percent.
PARIS STOCK EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 4502.02 points, up 72.37 or 1.63 percent.
ZURICH STOCK EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 7211.05 points, up 93.66 or 1.32 percent.
MILAN STOCK EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 25533 points, up 345 or 1.37 percent.
SYDNEY STOCK EXCHANGE: Shares rose to a one month closing high, boosted by banking sector gains after Westpac announced strong earnings and a share buy back after the close on Wednesday. Australia's benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index added 57.4 points, or 1.29 percent, to 4,513.7 - its best close since October 5.
JOHANNESBURG STOCK EXCHANGE: Investment holding group Venfin led South African stocks to a new all-time high on news it may sell its stake in cell phone operator Vodacom, while positive corporate results also buoyed demand. The All-share index closed at 16967.22 points, up 400.28 or 2.42 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2054.18 points, up 37.51 or 1.86 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 12582.9 points, up 308.98 or 2.52 percent.
TOKYO STOCK EXCHANGE: Japan's stock market was closed for the Culture Day national holiday. Markets will reopen at their normal times on Friday. On Wednesday, the Nikkei 225-stock average was up 26.92, or 0.19 percent, at 13,894.78, its highest close since May 24, 2001.SINGAPORE: Financial markets in Singapore were closed on Thursday for a public holiday. Trading will resume on Friday.
JAKARTA STOCK EXCHANGE: Financial markets in Jakarta were closed on Thursday for a public holiday. Trading will resume next Wednesday.
KUALA LUMPUR STOCK EXCHANGE: Malaysian financial markets were closed on Thursday for public holidays. Trading resumes on Monday.