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 14 months, with energy stocks gaining and US home sales data boosting sentiment.
In thin trade ahead of the Christmas holiday season, the FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares rose 0.7 percent to 1,034.86 points, its highest close since October 3, 2008. Energy shares were among the biggest gainers, even as crude prices fell to about $73.40 a barrel, after Opec oil producers agreed to leave output targets unchanged.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 5,945.69 points, up 15.16 or 0.26 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 3,898.38 points, up 26.32 or 0.68 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 6,582.9 points, up 78.46 or 1.21 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The FT IT All Share index closed at 23,367.74 points, up 217.91 or 0.94 percent.
TOKYO STOCKS EXCHANGE: Japan's Nikkei average rose 1.9 percent to a three-month closing high as a weaker yen lifted exporters, while Isuzu Motors jumped on a report that the truck maker wants to develop new diesel engines for General Motors. In moderate trade, the Nikkei gained 194.56 points to 10,378.03, its highest finish since September 24.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Australian stocks gained 1.5 percent, boosted by banks and miners, as investors looked ahead to the prospect of more merger activity buoying the market in the new year. The S&P/ASX 200 index gained 69.1 points to 4,704.2, making its gains for the calendar year 26 percent up to today and putting it on track for the best year since 1993.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: South African stocks climbed for a fourth session, hitting a near-17-month closing high, buoyed by Christmas rally, while the rand edged firmer after sliding sharply the previous session. The All-share index closed at 27,621.93 points, up 126.51 or 0.46 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,446.79 points, down 2.01 or 0.08 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 21,571.02 points, up 116.82 or 0.54 percent.