Closing stock market indices

Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Thursday.
EUROPE STOCKS EXCHANGE: European shares closed 1.6 percent higher at a new high on market relief the European Central Bank's first interest rate increase in five years was not the start of an aggressive hiking programme to cut spending.
The FTSEurofirst 300 index of pan-European blue chips closed up 1.6 percent, or 20.3 points, at 1,256.4, setting a new 3-1/2 year peak of 1,256.37. Thursday's gain was the biggest one day points gain since October 31.
Defying resistance from politicians and business leaders, the ECB lifted its benchmark rate by a well-flagged 0.25 percentage points to 2.25 percent, and ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet signalled any future increases would be moderate.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 5,266.55 points, up 73.15 or 1.41 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 4,636.46 points, up 69.05 or 1.51 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 7,536.94 points, up 129.42 or 1.75 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 26,237 points, up 328 or 1.27 percent.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Australian shares fell over one percent, weighed by a decline on Wall Street on worries over higher interest rates, but building materials group James Hardie jumped after agreeing a A$3 billion ($2.2 billion) package to compensate asbestos victims.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index shed 54.7 points, or 1.18 percent, to close at 4,580.1.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: MTN pulled volatile South African stocks higher as bargain hunters nibbled at the share, while Imperial was driven up by an upbeat trading report, but Sasol sunk further. The All-share index closed at 16,800.93 points, up 26.39 or 0.16 percent.
The All Gold index closed at 2,260.44 points, down 5.75 or 0.25 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 12,085.56 points, up 78.48 or 0.65 percent.