LONDON - A rally by energy stocks and miners, spurred by firmer commodity prices and growing optimism on the corporate outlook and global economy, helped Britain's top share index to its highest close in over a year.

The FTSE 100 index closed up 48.3 points, or 0.9 percent, at 5,210.17, its highest close since late September 2008 when the market tumbled following the demise of Lehman Brothers.

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EUROPE - European stocks closed higher, as Dutch giant Philips helped reinforce investors' confidence on third-quarter earnings season, still in its early stages.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares rose 0.7 percent to a close of 1,005.37 points, the highest close since September 23.

The European benchmark index is up more than 55 percent from its lifetime low of March 9, as investors have become more confident on the prospects of economic recovery.

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FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 5,783.23 points, up 71.35 or 1.25 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,845.8 points, up 46.19 or 1.22 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,377.78 points, up 86.14 or 1.37 percent.

MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 24,638.49 points, up 406.4 or 1.68 percent.

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TOKYO - The Japanese stock market was closed for a public holiday, Health and Sports Day. On Friday the Nikkei closed up 1.87 percent or 183.92 points at 10,016.39.

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HONG KONG - Hong Kong shares closed 0.93 percent on profit-taking, with investors discounting hopes for positive Chinese economic data this week and switching focus to third-quarter company earnings.

The Hang Seng Index slipped 200.09 points to 21,299.35.

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SYDNEY - Australian stocks finished down 0.3 percent, hit by profit-taking in the banks as investors turned cautious ahead of a barrage of key earnings in the US later in the week.

The S&P/ASX 200 index closed down 13.1 points at 4,739.8.

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JOHANNESBURG - South African stocks rose, boosted by higher global markets and with telecoms group Telkom jumping on reports the government plans to force down interconnect costs charges by cell phone operators.

The All-share index closed at 25,630.16 points, up 250.11 or 0.99 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,655.66 points, up 6.26 or 0.24 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 20,360.51 points, up 251.2 or 1.25 percent.