Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Thursday.
German insurer Allianz also weighed after posting mixed earnings, while oil majors such as Total edged down with crude extending its fall after Wednesday's big US fuel inventories increase.
The FTSEurofirst 300 index of leading European shares closed 0.02 percent up at 1,368.74, having climbed for the past five sessions to levels last seen in July 2001.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index rose 31.6 points, or 0.64 percent, to close at 4,977.9, topping the previous closing record set on February 1.
The All Gold index closed at 2,648.62 points, down 14.39 or 0.54 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 13,987.48 points, down 52.4 or 0.37 percent.