Stock Market

LONDON (March 04 2010): Major stock markets outside the United States ended on Wednesday.

EUROPE STOCKS EXCHANGE: European shares rose for the fourth straight day, boosted by upbeat US economic data, optimism on Greece's deficit, and with Standard Chartered rising after results. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index of top shares rose 0.8 percent to 1,035.56 points, its highest close since January 21. The benchmark index is up more than 60 percent from a record low it hit on March 9, 2009.

FRANKFURT STOCKS EXCHANGE: The DAX index ended at 5,817.88 points, up 41.32 or 0.72 percent.

PARIS STOCKS EXCHANGE: The CAC-40 index closed at 3,842.52 points, up 30.6 or 0.80 percent.

ZURICH STOCKS EXCHANGE: The Swiss market index closed at 6,813.16 points, down 6.88 or 0.10 percent.

MILAN STOCKS EXCHANGE: The FT IT All Share index closed at 22,268.38 points, up 302.56 or 1.38 percent.

SYDNEY STOCKS EXCHANGE: Australian stocks climbed 0.7 percent rising for the fourth straight session as strong commodity prices overnight lifted miners and economic growth data boosted sentiment. The S&P/ASX 200 index ended up 33.74points at 4,735.66.

JOHANNESBURG STOCKS EXCHANGE: South Africa's rand strengthened more than 1.3 percent against the dollar, touching a month high on a wave of renewed global risk appetite. The All-share index closed at 27,683.65 points, up 311.73 or 1.14 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,247.79 points, up 33.04 or 1.49 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 21,868.18 points, up 13.36 or 0.06 percent.