Closing stock market indices

Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Thursday.
EUROPEAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: European shares closed higher, buoyed by positive corporate and economic news from the United States, including an upbeat statement from Wells Fargo, which boosted banks. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares rose two percent to a close of 778.39 points. The index rose 0.8 percent over the week, which was shortened by the Good Friday holiday, for its fifth straight weekly gain.
FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 4491.12 points, up 133.2 or 3.06 percent on the day gaining 106.13 on the week.
PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 2974.18 points, up 53.12 or 1.82 percent, rising just 15.44 over the last four days.
ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 5070.6 points, up 70.8 or 1.42 percent, adding 27.61 since Mondays opening.
MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The All Share Mibtel index closed at 13879 points, up 305 or 2.25 percent, climbing 331 points over the week.
SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Australian shares rose 1.4 percent, with financials finding lift from a US government rescue package for life insurance companies and as resource stocks rose on strong commodities prices. The S&P/ASX 200 index added 52.1 points to 3,671.6, but fell 2.3 percent, or 64 points, over the holiday-shortened week.
JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: South African stocks jumped, recouping losses in the last four sessions, tracking firmer global equities as positive US earnings news rekindled global risk appetite ahead of the Easter break. The All-share index closed at 20965.89 points, up 528.5 or 2.59 percent on the day, but behind on the week by 229.60 points.
The All Gold index closed at 2392.31 points, down 83.41 or 3.37 percent, and ditching 52.82 points since last weekend. The Industrial index closed at 15833.39 points, up 295.7 or 1.90 percent, but down 89.27 points in the week.
MANILA STOCKS EXCHANGE: Philippine financial markets are closed on Thursday for a public holiday. Trading will resume on April 13.