Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Tuesday.
Gains from Spanish power company Endesa and British catering group Compass after forecast-beating results helped offset a continuing sell-off in mining and construction shares, sectors seen as more exposed to an economic turnaround. Pharmaceutical stocks also benefited as investors, still mindful of a less supportive economic environment, re-channelled their money into more defensive sectors.
GlaxoSmithKline, whose top-selling asthma drug Advair could get a commercial boost from a medical meeting this weekend, rose the most.
The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares gained 0.17 percent to end At 1,347.58 points, recovering some ground after losses of more than 4 percent over the past four sessions.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index fell 16.7 points to close at 5,217.4.