Closing stock market indices

Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Wednesday.
EUROPE STOCKS EXCHANGE: European shares ended higher, boosted by stronger bank and resource stocks, amid a batch of hefty corporate earnings and ongoing merger and acquisition speculation. Among major movers, UK broadcaster BSkyB jumped after posting robust results, while Credit Suisse languished after it beat earnings expectations but failed to set ambitious targets for the year ahead.
"Obviously people are optimistic but want some kind of parachute, to buy protection for the downside," said Andreas Kampe, fund manager at Bayern Invest in Munich.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 7,455.93 points, up 47.06 or 0.64 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 5,990.13 points, up 30.09 or 0.50 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 9,444.95 points, up 16.68 or 0.18 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 34,040 points, up 61 or 0.18 percent.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Shares rose 1.5 percent to a record closing peak, as steady interest rates spurred banks while take-over approaches lifted Coates Hire Ltd and Coles Group Ltd. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index added 91.9 points to 6,237.7, outpacing the previous record close reached on April 18.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: Mining companies led South African stocks higher with BHP Billiton leading the jump on the back of firmer metal prices and Kumba Iron Ore hit an all-time fresh peak after a stock price upgrade. The All-share index closed at 28,328.12 points, up 157.52 or 0.56 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,867.89 points, up 1.39 or 0.05 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 19,975.39 points, up 27.12 or 0.14 percent.