LONDON - The FTSE was closed on Monday for a Bank Holiday.
On December 24, the FTSE 100 ended 30.03 points or 0.6 percent higher at 5,402.41.
@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST
EUROPE - European shares closed higher for the fifth consecutive session as banking and oil stocks rose in low volumes with London markets shut until tomorrow.
The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index closed up 0.5 percent at 1,043.93 points.
@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROmarkets
FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 6,002.92 points, up 45.48 or 0.76 percent.
PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,947.15 points, up 34.42 or 0.88 percent.
ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,591.01 points, up 11.03 or 0.17 percent.
MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 23,682.38 points, up 196.23 or 0.84 percent.
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TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei average hit its highest close in four months as stronger-than-forecast output data boosted manufacturers, while Sharp Corp. gained after it reached a cross-licensing agreement with a resin and rubber parts maker.
The Nikkei climbed 1.3 percent or 139.52 points to 10,634.23, its highest close since August 26.
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HONG KONG - Hong Kong shares erased early gains to close lower after a government land auction, while China stocks rose as sentiment improved after comments on Beijing's economic stimulus package from Premier Wen Jiabao.
The Hang Seng Index ended down 0.17 percent or 36.78 points at 21,480.22, ending three straight gaining sessions, with property plays leading the slide after the government sold two plots of land at prices below market expectations.
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SYDNEY - Australian stock markets were closed yesterday.
On December 24, the S&P/ASX 200 index closed up 1.1 percent at 4,790.9, the highest close since October 26.
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JOHANNESBURG - South African stocks kicked off the last week of 2009 with substantial gains although trade was light as many investors remained on a festive break, while risk appetite boosted the rand against the dollar.
The All-share index gained 1.12 percent to 27,888.91 points. The All Gold index closed at 2,447.12 points, down 2.08 or 0.08 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 21,773.56 points, up 284.58 or 1.32 percent.
