LONDON - Britain's top share index closed 0.4 percent higher, with energy stocks lifted by optimism on the economic outlook as central banks kept rates steady and US data surprised on the upside. The FTSE 100 closed at 5,125.64 points, up 17.75 or 0.35 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST

EUROPE - European shares set a one-week closing high after data showed new claims for US jobless aid fell to a 10-month low and business productivity in the third quarter grew at the fastest pace in six years.

Investors risk appetite grew, with the VDAX-NEW volatility index down four percent. The lower the volatility index, based on sell and buy options on Frankfurt's top-30 stocks, the higher is investors' desire for risky assets such as equities.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares ended up 0.6 percent at 990.53 points - the highest close since October 29 - after an intraday low at 969.74.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROmarkets

FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 5,480.92 points, up 36.69 or 0.67 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,708.73 points, up 38.4 or 1.05 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,285.2 points, up 18.09 or 0.29 percent.

MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 23,061.78 points, up 197.73 or 0.86 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:nikkei

TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei share average fell 1.3 percent to its lowest close in a month, with Sony and other exporters slipping as investors locked in profits on caution ahead of US jobs data. The Nikkei shed 126.87 points to 9,717.44, its lowest finish since October 6.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:hang seng

HONG KONG - Hong Kong stocks ended down 0.63 percent, as investors dumped shares of local property companies, but Chinese developer Evergrande Real Estate gained on its debut. The Hang Seng Index closed down 135.69 points at 21,479.08, retreating from a 1.76 percent gain in the previous session.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:asx

SYDNEY - Australian shares fell 0.7 percent, with miners and property groups dragging the market lower and health-care stocks limiting the declines, after an unconvincing rally on Wall Street. The S&P/ASX 200 index lost 32.1 points to finish at 4,508.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:south africa

JOHANNESBURG - South African stocks ended largely flat, halting a decline for the week, with financial shares up but gold counters gave back gains as the gold price retreated from a record high.

The All-share index closed at 25,897.8 points, down 26.7 or 0.1 percent.