Closing stock market indices

Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Wednesday.
EUROPEAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: European equities advanced in thin trading, but the region was set to post its biggest annual fall as the markets were shattered by the worst credit crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
At 1440 GMT on the last trading day of 2008, the FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares was up 1.1 percent at 833.13 points. It has slumped 45 percent this year after gaining 1.6 percent last year and 16 percent in 2006.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The German markets were closed today for the New Year holiday. On Tuesday, the DAX index ended at 4,810.2 points, up 105.34 or 2.24 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 3,217.97 points, up 0.84 or 0.03 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss markets were closed today for the New Year holiday. On Tuesday, the Swiss market index closed at 5,534.53 points, up 69.57 or 1.27 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Italian markets were closed today. On Tuesday, the All Share Mibtel index closed at 15,096 points, up 198 or 1.33 percent.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Shares had their worst year on record in 2008, posting a 41 percent loss, with recessions in big economies and a worsening credit crunch setting the stage for a rocky 2009. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index fell by 2,617.5 points in 2008 to end at 3,722.3 today in a shortened trading session. It rose 1.86 percent or 68.1 points on the day.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: The All-share index closed at 21,509.2 points, up 160.75 or 0.75 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,249.94 points, up 37.49 or 1.69 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 16,926.94 points, down 40.12 or 0.24 percent.
HONG KONG STOCKS EXCHANGE: Financial markets in Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea and Thailand are closed on Wednesday for a public holiday.