Closing stock market indices

Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Wednesday.
EUROPE STOCKS EXCHANGE: European shares ended at their lowest close in two weeks, weighed down by banks and miners, as worries about the impact of the US mortgage market on the broader economy knocked investor sentiment. British mortgage bank Northern Rock was the top loser in Europe after cutting its 2007 profit forecast, while Gaz de France rallied on expectations its merger with Suez could soon be completed.
"Right now, the market tends to focus too much on risks," Alain Bokobza, head of strategy at Societe Generale, told reporters in Paris. "The question is this: does the potential bankruptcy of a few hedge funds related to the troubles in the subprime market represent a systemic risk on the global financial system? At this stage, our answer is no." The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares fell for the fifth consecutive session, closing down 0.5 percent at 1,579.5 points at its lowest finish since June 12.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 7,801.23 points, down 59.29 or 0.75 percent.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 5,941.67 points, down 11.69 or 0.20 percent.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 9,025.82 points, down 47.51 or 0.52 percent.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 32,491 points, down 117 or 0.36 percent.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Shares slid 1.97 percent, posting the biggest one-day percentage fall in over three months as worries about a sluggish US economic outlook hit US-exposed firms while resource stocks fell on weaker metal and oil prices. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index dropped 124.4 points to close at 6,184.2.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: Mining and resource stocks, led by Anglo American, dragged South Africa's blue chip Top-40 index 1.62 percent lower on Wednesday as lower metal prices and fears about US economic growth scared off investors.
The All-share index closed at 28,285.1 points, down 461.33 or 1.60 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,498.51 points, down 39.48 or 1.56 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 19,402.56 points, down 167.65 or 0.86 percent.