Closing stock market indices

Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Wednesday.
EUROPE STOCK EXCHANGE: European stocks dipped, snapping a four-day winning streak as lacklustre technology stocks weighed and investors nervously awaited the outcome of a Federal Reserve rate-setting meet. Take-over activity and corporate earnings were in the spotlight.
Verbund leapt after OMV agreed to buy Austria's biggest utility, while Adecco, DSG and Carlsberg rose after buoyant results. The FTSEurofirst 300 closed down 0.6 percent at 1,397.5 points, distancing itself from a near five-year high of 1,407.08 on Monday.
FRANKFURT STOCK EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 6,118.38 points, down 22.34 or 0.36 percent.
PARIS STOCK EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 5,278.27 points, down 33.91 or 0.64 percent.
ZURICH STOCK EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 8,112.87 points, down 9.21 or 0.11 percent.
MILAN STOCK EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 29,986 points, down 87 or 0.29 percent.
SYDNEY STOCK EXCHANGE: Australian shares rose 0.5 percent to set a new closing peak as retailer Harvey Norman gained on tax cuts announced in the budget and fund manager AMP rose on changes to private pensions, including tax relief on payouts. The S&P/ASX 200 Index added 26.4 points to end at 5,352.2.
JOHANNESBURG STOCK EXCHANGE: South African mining stocks vaulted higher as gold and platinum prices sizzled at fresh records, sending main share indices to record closing peaks for the second day running. The All-share index closed at 22,024.03 points, up 110.48 or 0.50 percent.
The All Gold index closed at 3,049.13 points, up 92.34 or 3.12 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 14,747.49 points, down 65.98 or 0.45 percent.