Closing stock market indices

Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Wednesday.
EUROPEAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: European shares closed higher for the fifth straight session after upbeat economic data sparked investor optimism on Wall Street. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares rose 0.4 percent to 743.94 points, its highest close since February 19.
The pan-European index is up 15.3 percent since hitting a lifetime low on March 9, but is down 10.6 percent so far this year after plunging 45 percent in 2008. "Its about time we had some good news," said Mike Lenhoff, chief strategist and head of research at Brewin Dolphin Securities in London. "Does this mean its all coming together? Far from it, but it provides a respite from what has been a monotonous stream of poor newsflow."
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 4,223.29 points, up 35.93 or 0.86 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 2,893.45 points, up 19.06 or 0.66 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 4,970.38 points, up 46.72 or 0.95 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 13,068 points, up 359 or 2.82 percent.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Australian shares rose 0.8 percent to a 10-week closing high, led up by the top banks on hopes a US plan to rid banks of toxic assets would help to stabilise the global financial system. The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 29.3 points to 3,609.3. The index has added 4.1 percent so far this week, taking it to its highest close since January 14.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: South Africas rand firmed against the dollar and stocks also rose, latching onto global market gains in the wake of a raft of positive data that eased worries over the ailing world economy. The All-share index closed at 21,257.63 points, up 149.46 or 0.71 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,908.47 points, up 68.27 or 2.40 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 15,603.52 points, up 105.09 or 0.68 percent.