Closing stock market indices

Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Wednesday.
EUROPE STOCKS EXCHANGE: European shares rose for the third day in a row as investors took comfort from banks providing clarity on the impact of the credit market crisis on their performances.
Banks again took pole position, with Deutsche Bank up two percent and Credit Suisse rising one percent, as they said they see big opportunities when the global crunch, which has whacked profits, starts to recede. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index closed up 0.17 percent at a provisional 1,570.95, rising 1.3 percent this week.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 7955.3 points, up 8.51 or 0.11 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 5806.18 points, up 6.91 or 0.12 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 9088.7 points, up 14.71 or 0.16 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 31378 points, down 1 or 0.00 percent.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Australian shares ended flat, after hitting fresh record peaks during the session, as a further recovery in financial shares was offset by weakness in recent strong gainers such as BHP Billiton. The S&P/ASX 200 index closed at 6,660.0, up 0.1 of a point.
SEOUL STOCKS EXCHANGE: South Korean financial markets were closed on Wednesday for a public holiday. Trading resumes on Thursday.