Closing stock market indices

04 Dec, 2004

Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Friday.
EUROPE: European shares fell as disappointing US jobs figures spurred investors to book profits after the market hit its highest level in 29 months. European technology leader Nokia fell 2.8 percent after the Finnish handset maker said the head of its networks unit had resigned and another senior networks executive left in a second round of departures in two weeks. Chip-related shares like Infineon, STMicroelectronics and ASML rose after US chip bellwether Intel lifted its revenue outlook. The FTSEurofirst 300 index ended unofficially down 0.3 percent at 1,035.05 points after hitting its highest level since July 2002 early in the session. For the week, the pan-European blue-chip benchmark was up 0.6 percent.
FRANKFURT: The DAX index ended at 4,208.87 points, down 7.53 or 0.18 percent, up 54.6 from November 26.
PARIS: The CAC-40 index closed at 3,783.51 points, down 27.94 or 0.73 percent. The index has made a slight gain of 1.31 since last Friday.
ZURICH: The Swiss market index closed at 5,555.2 points, down 14.1 or 0.25 percent, gaining 6.7 from a week ago.
MILAN: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 22,633 points, down 12 or 0.05 percent, 175 points higher on the week.
SYDNEY: Stocks closed flat as investors paused ahead of the weekend after driving the market's main index to record highs earlier this week. Australia's benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index edged 2.3 points, or 0.06 percent, lower to 3,939.5, gaining 27.4 over the week.
JOHANNESBURG: Petrochemicals group Sasol and diversified resources group BHP Billiton dragged the market off its all time highs on Friday as oil prices continued to fall. "Oil prices have been falling this week and Sasol and Billiton will always react negatively to that," a trader said. Sasol - the world's biggest producer of synthetic fuel from coal - was the main loser among blue chips, tumbling 3.32 percent to 109.98 rand while Billiton lost 2.91 percent to 66 rand. The All-share index closed at 12,500.26 points, down 107.74 or 0.85 percent, but rising 61.75 points since last Friday. The All Gold index closed at 1,804.86 points, down 29.36 or 1.60 percent, losing 44.03 points over the week. The Industrial index closed at 9,536.78 points, down 32.6 or 0.34 percent, up 110.46 from seven days ago.

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