Closing stock market indices

Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Tuesday.
EUROPEAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: European shares rose to their highest close in more than four months, driven by optimism about a financial sector recovery, though gains were limited by US housing starts falling to a record low. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares rose 1.4 percent to a close of 872.09 points, its highest close since January 8. The index, which fell 45 percent in 2008, is up 34.8 percent from a lifetime low of March 9.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 4959.62 points, up 107.66 or 2.22 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 3274.96 points, up 29.57 or 0.91 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 5498.8 points, up 63.68 or 1.17 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 15836 points, up 129 or 0.82 percent.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Australian shares rose 2.2 percent, boosted by investor optimism that the worst of the economic crisis may be over, and buoyed by strength in miners such as BHP Billiton and in energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 index stood 81.7 points higher at 3,817.3.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: South African stocks rallied to an 18-week high, propelled by miners' gains on firmer commodity prices, and the rand strengthened against the dollar, taking its cue mostly from global markets. The All-share index closed at 22398.38 points, up 453.26 or 2.07 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2507.21 points, down 10.07 or 0.40 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 17386.25 points, up 273.88 or 1.60 percent.