Closing stock market indices

Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Thursday.
EUROPE STOCKS EXCHANGE: European stocks closed nearly one percent lower after the European Central Bank hinted at further interest rate hikes and raised its forecast for consumer inflation after increasing rates as expected.
The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index lost 12.77 points to close at 1,343.2 points.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 5783.49 points, down 83.12 or 1.42 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 5009.09 points, down 48.52 or 0.96 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 7926.22 points, down 54.14 or 0.68 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 28677 points, down 265 or 0.92 percent.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Australian shares closed higher as strong metal and crude oil prices lifted mining and energy stocks, while major banks led by Commonwealth Bank and ANZ Banking Group also rebounded. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index rose 53.2 points, or 1.1 percent, to close at 4,903.8.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: Stronger precious metal prices helped South African stocks bounce back from a rout earlier this week, but Gold Fields tumbled on news Russia's Polyus was selling its 20.84 percent stake in the firm. The all-share index gained 1.60 percent or 305.78 points to close at 19,391.13.
The All Gold index closed at 2700.63 points, down 20.85 or 0.77 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 13827.1 points, up 270.46 or 2.00 percent.