Closing stock market indices

Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Wednesday.
EUROPE STOCK EXCHANGE: European stocks closed slightly lower, snapping a 2-day winning streak as concerns about the likelihood of a deep global recession outweighed prospects for massive stimulus plans.
The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares closed down 0.33 percent at 830.58 points, after Tuesday's 0.6 percent gain and Monday's surge of nearly 9 percent. It recorded a second-biggest one-day percentage rise on record. The index is down 44.6 percent so far this year, hit by the credit crisis and the global economic slowdown.
FRANKFURT STOCK EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 4,560.5 points, up 0.08 points.
PARIS STOCK EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 3,169.85 points, down 39.71 or 1.24 percent.
ZURICH STOCK EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 5,498.56 points, up 20.17 or 0.37 percent.
MILAN STOCK EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 15,479 points, up 73 or 0.47 percent.
SYDNEY STOCK EXCHANGE: Shares fell 2.3 percent as Rio Tinto Ltd hit a four-year closing low after BHP Billiton Ltd dropped its take-over offer, while the market's recent rise encouraged some investors to take profits in banks. The S&P/ASX 200 index lost 83.4 points to close at 3,540.0.
JOHANNESBURG STOCK EXCHANGE: Stocks gained for a fourth straight session on Wednesday, boosted by hopes of an early interest rate cut, while the rand dipped as caution returned to global markets. The All-share index closed at 20,474.7 points, up 211.59 or 1.04 percent. The All Gold index closed at 1,924.94 points, up 52.2 or 2.79 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 15,974.94 points, up 167.93 or 1.06 percent.