LONDON - Britain's top share index hit a 22-month closing high, as solid results from JPMorgan and Intel and strong US retail sales lifted hopes that a recovery in the world's biggest economy is gaining momentum. The FTSE 100 closed up 34.59 points, or 0.6 percent, at 5,796.25 - its highest close since June 17, 2008, after it fell 15.99 points, or 0.3 percent, on Tuesday.
@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST
EUROPE - European stocks hit an 18-month closing high, as forecast-beating results from JPMorgan and Intel and solid US retail sales brightened the prospect for economic recovery. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares closed 0.6 percent higher at 1,105.32 points, reversing a two-session losing run.
@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROmarkets
FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 6,278.4 points, up 47.57 or 0.76 percent.
PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 4,057.7 points, up 25.71 or 0.64 percent.
ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,916.59 points, up 30.73 or 0.45 percent.
MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 23,983.04 points, up 273.61 or 1.15 percent.
@MARKET ROUNDUP:nikkei
TOKYO - The Nikkei average rose 0.39 percent, inching away from two-week lows hit the day before, with chip-linked exporters boosted after Intel's sales and margin forecasts handily beat market expectations. The benchmark Nikkei gained 43.67 points to 11,204.9, with support seen solid around its 25-day moving average of 11,000.
@MARKET ROUNDUP:hang seng
HONG KONG - Shares reversed early losses to end flat, as gains in Lenovo Group after a bullish forecast from Intel Corp slightly offset profit-taking in airlines on fading optimism of a one-time revaluation for the yuan. The Hang Seng Index ended up 0.08 percent or 17.9 points at 22,121.43, after falling 0.06 percent in morning trade.
@MARKET ROUNDUP:asx
MELBOURNE - Shares rose 0.87 percent to a 19-month high, after US bellwether Intel posted better-than-expected earnings, boosting hopes for US profits, and local banking stocks rallied. The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 43 points to 4,994.7, the highest closing level since September 22, 2008. The index lost 32.6 points on Tuesday.
@MARKET ROUNDUP:south africa
JOHANNESBURG - Stocks were lifted by strong gains in mining and banking shares after positive earnings from the US spurred buying and boosted commodity prices.
The All-share index closed at 29,499.7 points, up 557.87 or 1.93 percent.
The All Gold index closed at 2,312.66 points, up 52.34 or 2.32 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 22,643.41 points, up 212.05 or 0.95 percent.
