Closing stock market indices

Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Wednesday.
EUROPEAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: European shares closed sharply higher, with banks, oils and miners rising after economic data in the US proved less downbeat than forecast. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares rose 2.5 percent to close at 811.41 points, taking its gain for the past two sessions to 4.4 percent.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 4,492.79 points, up 117.83 or 2.69 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 3,068.99 points, up 86.60 or 2.90 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 5,225.46 points, up 7.85 or 0.15 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 14,349 points, up 256 points or 1.82 percent.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Stocks fell 2 percent, led by shopping mall owner Westfield Group, as a string of capital raisings drained cash out of the market. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index fell 70.8 points to 3,437.9, erasing a 0.3 percent gain on Tuesday.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: Stocks rallied, boosted by stronger world markets and higher precious metal prices, while the rand held firm despite dollar strength and troubles in other emerging markets. The All-share index rose 624.45 or 3.12 percent to 20,639.07 points.