Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Wednesday.
The biggest gainers were shares in France Telecom, which rose 3.3 percent to 21.78 euros on renewed speculation that the operator will return cash to its shareholders after a tough three years of restructuring. Other European players such as Telecom Italia, BT Group and Spain's Telefonica also rose with dealers saying investors were becoming more upbeat on the only European sector still in negative territory this year.
The FTSEurofirst 300 index of leading European shares closed 0.34 percent higher at 1,247.61 points, according to unofficial data, its highest level since April 2002.