Closing Stock Market Indices Outside The U.S.

Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Monday.

LONDON - Britain's leading share index gained 0.4 percent, adding to its post-Christmas rally, with Vodafone in demand, and oils firmer, outweighing a fall in defensive pharmaceutical and
tobacco stocks. The FTSE 100 closed at 4,579.64 points, up 17.85 or 0.39 percent.

EUROPE - European equities closed higher for the fifth session in a row, as stronger telecom shares and energy stocks boosted by a higher crude oil price outpaced weaker automobiles, which were hit by falling car demand.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares rose 1.9 percent to 873.01 points, the highest close since mid-November last year. It plunged 45 percent in 2008, but is up 16 percent since hitting a 5-1/2-year low last November.

Telecoms were one of the biggest gainers on the first full day of 2009 for many, with Swisscom rising 5 percent, Cable and Wireless adding 4.6 percent, Vodafone up 4.4 percent and Portugal Telecom rising 4.6 percent.

FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 4,983.99 points, up 10.92 or 0.22 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,359.92 points, up 10.23 or 0.31 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 5,756.09 points, up 221.56 or 4.00 percent.

MILAN - The All Share Mibtel index closed at 15,769 points, up 264 or 1.70 percent.

TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei average began 2009 on a strong note, climbing 2.07 percent and hitting a nearly two-month closing high on hopes this year will be better than last, the worst in the Nikkei's history. In a half-day of trade, the benchmark Nikkei gained 183.56 points to 9,043.12, ending above 9,000 for the first time in two months.

HONG KONG - Shares rose 3.46 percent to a four-week high on hopes of massive stimulus spending from the mainland, while 2008's worst performing blue chip Foxconn International boosted its value by a quarter. The Hang Seng Index ended 520.50 points higher at 15,563.31 with China Mobile leading gains for a second day on hopes that Chinese telecom operators will soon be issued licences to offer third generation (3G) services.

SYDNEY - Stocks fell 0.72 percent as losses in banks and precious metal miners outweighed gains in base metal and energy stocks, and as exporters struggled in the face of a stronger Australian dollar. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index which had been up as much as 1.5 percent in early trade, ended down 26.8 points at 3,687.0.

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's rand steadied against the dollar and stocks climbed for a fifth session, tracking a New Year rally in Europe as Sasol gained on stronger oil prices. The All-share index closed at 22,304.43 points, up 539.53 or 2.48 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,159.54 points, down 118.55 or 5.20 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 17,335.37 points, up 660.32 or 3.96 percent.