The DAX index ended at 5011 points, up 56.17 or 1.13 percent. PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 4502.02 points, up 72.37 or 1.63 percent. ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 7211.05 points, up 93.66 or 1.32 percent. MILAN - The All Share Mibtel index closed at 25533 points, up 345 or 1.37 percent. TOKYO - Japan's stock market was closed for the Culture Day national holiday. Markets will reopen at their normal times on Friday. On Wednesday, the Nikkei 225-stock average was up 26.92, or 0.19 percent, at 13,894.78, its highest close since May 24, 2001. HONG KONG - Stocks were mixed with most property stocks wilting after a larger than expected interest rate rise while exporters outperformed on attractive valuations. The blue-chip Hang Seng Index ended 0.03 percent, or 4.11 points, higher at 14,601.59. SYDNEY - Shares rose to a one month closing high, boosted by banking sector gains after Westpac announced strong earnings and a share buy back after the close on Wednesday. Australia's benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index added 57.4 points, or 1.29 percent, to 4,513.7 -- its best close since Oct. 5. JOHANNESBURG - Investment holding group Venfin led South African stocks to a new all-time high on news it may sell its stake in cell phone operator Vodacom, while positive corporate results also buoyed demand. The All-share index closed at 16967.22 points, up 400.28 or 2.42 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2054.18 points, up 37.51 or 1.86 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 12582.9 points, up 308.98 or 2.52 percent. --SP 2353 Local Time 2053 GMT
