Closing stock market indices

Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Wednesday.
EUROPEAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: European stocks ended higher, adding to the previous session's rally, after data showed US private employers shed fewer jobs last month than in October, lifting sentiment ahead of Friday's key jobs data.
The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares closed 0.4 percent higher at 1,015.77 points. The index, which sharply fell last week on concerns over Dubai's debt woes, jumped back on Tuesday, gaining 2.6 percent as the worries receded.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 5781.68 points, up 5.07 or 0.09 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 3795.92 points, up 20.18 or 0.53 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 6386.54 points, up 14.46 or 0.23 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The FT IT All Share index closed at 23008.51 points, up 12.67 or 0.06 percent.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Australian shares rose 0.9 percent, driven by resources companies as gold, oil and metals prices rose with a falling US dollar, and receding debt problems in Dubai and signs of US growth lifted sentiment. The S&P/ASX 200 index finished 43.3 points higher at 4,762.3, adding to a 0.4 percent rise the previous day.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: South African stocks ended a lacklustre session up, notching up a third straight day of gains led by miners on rampant commodity prices, while government bonds extended gains after strong demand at this week's auction. The All-share index closed at 27429.76 points, up 152.26 or 0.56 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2744.09 points, up 34.45 or 1.27 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 21058.17 points, down 98.13 or 0.46 percent.