LONDON - The FTSE 100 of Britain's leading shares rose to their highest close since September 2000, buoyed by a flurry of US data and supported by mining shares.

The index ended the session 55.3 points, or 0.8 percent higher at 6,676.7, gaining 106.20 points during the week.ROUNDUP:EUROFIRSTEUROPE - European shares rose with mining and telecoms stocks in the lead, taking the benchmark FTSEurofirst 300 index to its highest close since November 16, 2000.

European stock markets were supported by stronger than expected US economic data and by ongoing merger and acquisition activity.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index ended at 1,625.40 points, up 0.87 percent.ROUNDUP:EUROmarketsFRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 7987.85 points, up 104.81 or 1.33 percent on the day, and 248.65 points better off on the week.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 6168.15 points, up 64.15 or 1.05 percent, adding 110.66 points over the week.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 9531.46 points, up 80.61 or 0.85 percent, gaining 150.12 since last Friday.

MILAN - The All Share Mibtel index closed at 33705 points, down 19 or 0.06 percent on the day, but up 86 points since last weekend.ROUNDUP:nikkei>TOKYO - The Nikkei average rose 0.47 percent to close at its highest in three months, as trading firms rose on Morgan Stanley's higher target prices and retail investors bought steel and other value stocks.

The Nikkei added 83.13 points to close at 17,958.88, up 477.67 points since May 25.ROUNDUP:hang sengHONG KONG - Hong Kong blue chips surrendered early gains to fall 0.15 percent, as investors grew cautious after mainland bourses slid on concerns that China would take more measures to cool its stock market.

The Hang Seng Index ended down 31.60 points at 20,602.87, rising 82.21 points from a week ago.ROUNDUP:asx<.5b0>SYDNEY - Australian shares rose 0.3 percent as concerns about the Chinese market eased and after US shares hit new highs, while mining firms got a boost from stronger metal prices.

The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index added 20 points to end at 6,333.5, adding 80.7 points over the week.ROUNDUP:south africaJOHANNESBURG - South African stocks ended the week firmer with resource stocks leading the bourse into positive territory boosted by news of the listing of Anglo American's paper unit and stronger metals prices.

The All-share index closed at 28942.78 points, up 314.99 or 1.10 percent, rising 409.75 points since last weekend. The All Gold index closed at 2729.9 points, up 56.12 or 2.10 percent, but marginally down by 7 points over the week. The Industrial index closed at 19830.44 points.