Closing stock market indices

Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Wednesday.
EUROPE STOCKS EXCHANGE: European stocks hit an 18-month closing high, as forecast-beating results from J.P. Morgan and Intel and solid US retail sales brightened the prospect for economic recovery. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares closed 0.6 percent higher at 1,105.32 points, reversing a two-session losing run.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 6,278.4 points, up 47.57 or 0.76 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 4,057.7 points, up 25.71 or 0.64 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 6,916.59 points, up 30.73 or 0.45 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The FT IT All Share index closed at 23,983.04 points, up 273.61 or 1.15 percent.
MELBOURNE STOCKS EXCHANGE: Shares rose 0.87 percent to a 19-month high, after US bellwether Intel posted better-than-expected earnings, boosting hopes for US profits, and local banking stocks rallied. The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 43.0 points to 4,994.7, the highest closing level since September 22 2008. The index lost 32.6 points on Tuesday.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: Stocks were lifted by strong gains in mining and banking shares after positive earnings from the US spurred buying and boosted commodity prices The All-share index closed at 29,499.7 points, up 557.87 or 1.93 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,312.66 points, up 52.34 or 2.32 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 22,643.41 points, up 212.05 or 0.95 percent.