Closing stock market indices

Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Wednesday.
EUROPE STOCKS EXCHANGE: European stocks fell slightly, hit by lower-than expected US consumer sentiment after earlier marking their strongest levels in 5-1/2 years on the back of merger talk in several sectors. Trading volumes were thin ahead of Thursday's Thanksgiving holiday in the United States.
The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index fell 0.16 percent to 1,466.01 after earlier rising to 1,476.5, its strongest intra-day high since May 2001.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 6,476.13 points, up 15.74 or 0.24 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 5,452.49 points, down 6.86 or 0.13 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 8,778.54 points, up 3.96 or 0.05 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 31,403 points, up 103 or 0.33 percent.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Australian shares rose 1.6 percent to a two-week closing peak, as Qantas Airways surged to a record on a take-over approach from Macquarie Bank. The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 87.7 points to end at 5445.7, its highest close since November 8.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: Retailers and two shares spun off from iron ore group Kumba boosted the South African bourse, but property group Liberty International and platinum shares dampened the gains. The All-share index closed at 23,899.11 points, up 107.05 or 0.45 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,885.85 points, up 34.94 or 1.23 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 16,550.51 points, up 125.68 or 0.77 percent.