Closing stock market indices

Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Friday.
EUROPE STOCKS EXCHANGE: European stocks ended higher, gaining ground for a third consecutive session as heavyweight mining shares including Xstrata soared on market talk of consolidation in the sector.
Stocks also got support from slightly higher-than-expected US monthly jobs figures that eased fears of a sharp slowdown in the US economy but not so much to change expectations for a rate cut by the Federal Reserve next week. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares closed 0.6 percent higher at 1,538.51 points. The index, up 3.6 percent on the year, finished the week with a gain of 11.91 points.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 7994.07 points, up 53.49 or 0.67 percent, rising 123.55 points in the week.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 5718.75 points, up 44.99 or 0.79 percent gaining 48.18 points since last Friday.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 8799.65 points, up 57.91 or 0.66 percent on the day, but shedding 28.71 points since last weekend.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 30090 points, up 150 or 0.50 percent, and picking up 253 points in the week.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Shares rose 0.82 percent to fresh four-week closing highs, with US-exposed firms such as James Hardie Industries rising as a plan to stem US home foreclosures eased worries about a US recession. The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 53.8 points to 6,654.7, its highest closing level since November 7 after winning 121.6 points since last weekend.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: Anglo American lifted South African stocks on rumours of a bid for rival Xstrata, as the rand hit an intra day three-week high before paring some of its gains. The All-share index closed at 30390.67 points, up 256.93 or 0.85 percent on the day and up on the week by 82.87 points. The All Gold index closed at 2430.87 points, down 53.73 or 2.16 percent and worse off on the week by 193.51 points. The Industrial index closed at 21097.78 points, narrowly up by 0.17 of a point on the day, improving over the week by 18.93 points.