Closing stock market indices

Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Wednesday.
EUROPEAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: European shares fell for the fifth straight session to their lowest closing level in 10 weeks, as investors faced further signs that the pace of economic recovery will not be quick.
The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares closed 1.1 percent lower at 817.12 points. The fifth consecutive drop also marked the index's longest losing streak since mid-January. Volumes on the FTSEurofirst 300 were about 80 percent of its 90-day average daily volume.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 4,572.65 points, down 25.54 or 0.56 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 3,009.71 points, down 38.86 or 1.27 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 5,289.39 points, down 39.81 or 0.75 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The FT IT All Share index closed at 18,660.64 points, down 367.4 or 1.93 percent.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Australian shares closed flat, recovering from early losses as investors bought some stocks that had become cheap in recent falls, including miner Rio Tinto and top banks. The S&P/ASX 200 index broke a three-day losing streak to finish up 1.0 point at 3,767.9.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: South Africa's rand remained on the backfoot against the dollar, extending overnight losses as diminished risk appetite hit high-yield currencies. The All-share index closed at 22,014.05 points, up 133.41 or 0.61 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,261.23 points, up 18.83 or 0.84 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 17,729.67 points, up 123.28 or 0.70 percent.