Closing stock market indices

Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Thursday.
EUROPE STOCKS EXCHANGE: European shares ended higher as stronger commodity stocks outpaced a sharp decline in banks, which slipped following uncertainties over the shape of a deal to rescue debt-laden Greece.
The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares rose for a fourth straight session to close 0.3 percent higher at 990.51 points after a choppy session that saw the index hovering in a broad range of 980.16 to 997.26.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 5,503.93 points, down 32.44 or 0.59 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 3,616.75 points, down 18.86 or 0.52 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 6,403.42 points, up 69.43 or 1.10 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The FT IT All Share index closed at 21,591.67 points, down 154.45 or 0.71 percent.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Stocks rose 0.91 percent, to their highest close in a week, on strong local jobs data that offset a weak results from phone company Telstra and global concerns about US monetary policy. The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 40.9 points to 4,554.3, its highest close since February 5. The index gained 0.2 percent on Wednesday.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: Shares ended largely flat, dragged lower by mining stocks hit by a sell-off due to lack of details on a European deal to aid debt-ridden Greece. The All-share index closed at 26,350.6 points, down 8.57 or 0.03 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,225.85 points, down 1.94 or 0.09 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 20,893.66 points, up 122.49 or 0.59 percent.
TOKYO STOCKS EXCHANGE: Japanese stocks, financial and commodity markets were closed on Thursday for a national holiday, National Foundation Day. On Wednesday the Nikkei added 0.31 percent or 31.09 points to 9,963.99.