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Closing stock market indices outside the U.S.

LONDON: Here is how major stock markets outside the United States ended on Wednesday.

FRANKFURT: Germany's benchmark DAX share index closed 1.7 percent higher with equity, bond and currency markets positioned for a modest rise in U.S. interest rates later today. Mannesmann extended its gains to fresh life highs on anticipation Vodafone's record hostile takeover bid will succeed.

The DAX closed up 121.4 points, or 1.72 percent, at 7,171.95.

PARIS: The Paris bourse soared amid a buying frenzy of media stocks, fuelled for the second consecutive session by broadcaster Canal Plus.

The CAC-40 ended up 3.0 percent at 5,946.86 points.

ZURICH: Swiss shares closed one percent firmer ahead of the official interest rate decision in the United States.

The blue chip Swiss Market Index was up 1.03 percent at 7,097.4.

MILAN: Milan stocks ended firmer but off session highs in line with other European bourses after a volatile day of trading as dealers remained wary of U.S. rate hike prospects later on Wednesday.

The all-share Mibtel index closed up 1.55 percent or 449 points at 29,467.

AMSTERDAM: Dutch shares closed up, helped by easing fears of a substantial U.S. interest rate hike and another strong performance in technology stocks.

The AEX blue chip index closed at 629.15 points, up 1.6 percent.

SYDNEY: Strong gains by media group News Corp and a relief rally after the central bank hiked rates pushed the Australian share market more than one percent higher.

The benchmark All Ordinaries index ended up 31.8 points at 3,116.3.

JOHANNESBURG: Confident opening gains on South African shares were later decimated by choppy derivatives trade as jitters crept onto the bourse in the hours ahead of an expected U.S. interest rate hike.

The benchmark All-Share index ended down 13.5 points at 8,749.9.-Reuters