Closing stock market indices

Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Thursday.
EUROPE STOCKS EXCHANGE: European shares rose for the fourth consecutive day as generally positive earnings reports lifted sentiment, although automaker Daimler took a beating after scrapping its dividend. Swiss engineering group ABB soared 7.6 percent after fourth-quarter results, while Capgemini, Europe's largest computer consultancy, rose 6.2 percent after reporting profits ahead of forecasts.
The FTSEurofirst 300 index of leading European shares closed 0.7 percent higher at 1,021.66 points, hitting a two-week closing high for the second day and after gaining 2.8 percent in the previous three sessions, despite the continuing sovereign debt crisis in Greece.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended 5,680.41 points, up 32.07 or 0.57 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 3,747.83 points, up 22.62 or 0.61 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 6,637.29 points, up 69.69 or 1.06 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The FT IT All Share index closed at 22,181.89 points, up 42.4 or 0.19 percent.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Stocks fell 0.3 percent after cautious outlooks by top companies such as Qantas Airways and as investors paused after the biggest one-day in gain 2-1/2 months in the previous session. The S&P/ASX 200 index fell 12.96 points, to 4,655.0. It had risen 100.10 points on Wednesday.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: Stocks rose slightly, helped by industrial stocks, while the rand quietly consolidated after rallying on Wednesday after the budget. The All-share index closed at 27,280.58 points, up 88 or 0.32 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,264.89 points, down 46 or 1.99 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 21,338.24 points, up 173.81 or 0.82 percent.