The CAC-40 index closed at 4509.1 points, down 18.01 or 0.40 percent. ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6680.54 points, down 8.62 or 0.13 percent. MILAN - The All Share Mibtel index closed at 25922 points, down 90 or 0.35 percent. TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei average rose 1.37 percent to its highest close since 2001 as investors, inspired by data showing improved economic fundamentals, returned to the long-overlooked financial sector. The Nikkei rose 165.24 points to 12,263.32, its highest close since Aug. 7, 2001. HONG KONG - Hong Kong stocks tapped fresh four-and-half year highs for a second straight day, up more than half a percent after a batch of strong corporate earnings. The blue-chip Hang Seng Index closed up 98.79 points, at 15,445.20. SYDNEY - Australian shares hit a record closing high for the fourth straight, as ANZ Banking and National Australia Bank benefited from a portfolio shuffle and high oil prices buoyed energy stocks. The benchmark Australian S&P/ASX 200 index added 34.5 points, or 0.78 percent, to end at 4,460.2. JOHANNESBURG - Industrials dragged the Johannesburg bourse lower as speculators sold domestic focused shares after the central bank left rates unchanged, but gold miners recovered as striking workers agreed to return to work. The All-share index closed at 15709.78 points, down 27.13 or 0.17 percent. The All Gold index closed at 1637.78 points, up 32.61 or 2.03 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 11515.57 points, down 82.99 or 0.72 percent, Reuters reported.
