Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Thursday.
On the corporate activity front, things heated up in the battle for control of the London Stock Exchange as Deutsche Boerse unveiled details of its proposed take-over of the London bourse.
The announcement prompted continental rival Euronext to make a rare statement, saying its discussions with the LSE were continuing and that it would make a submission to the Office of Fair Trading soon over a possible offer. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of pan-European blue chips ended 0.4 percent higher at 1,059.5 points, its highest closing level since July 8, 2002.