LONDON - Britain's leading share index ended 0.3 percent higher as mining firms gained on the back of higher commodity prices, outpacing some weakness in banks and energy stocks.
The FTSE 100 closed 15.22 points higher at 5,327.39, adding to yesterday's strength when the index recorded its biggest one-day gain in more than four months as worries over Dubai's debt problems receded.
@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST
EUROPE - European stocks ended higher, adding to the previous session's rally, after data showed US private employers shed fewer jobs last month than in October, lifting sentiment ahead of Friday's key jobs data.
The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares closed 0.4 percent higher at 1,015.77 points.
@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROmarkets
FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 5,781.68 points, up 5.07 or 0.09 percent.
PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,795.92 points, up 20.18 or 0.53 percent.
ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,386.54 points, up 14.46 or 0.23 percent.
MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 23,008.51 points, up 12.67 or 0.06 percent.
@MARKET ROUNDUP:nikkei
TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei stock average edged up 0.4 percent to close at a two-week high, with short-covering buoying the market as the yen fell against the dollar while metals shares rose after gold hit a record high.
The Nikkei inched up 36.74 points to 9,608.94 to close at its highest level since November 18.
@MARKET ROUNDUP:hang seng
HONG KONG - Hong Kong stocks rose 0.8 percent in a third consecutive session of bargain-hunting gains after positive US home sales data restored confidence in an economic recovery and lifted Wall Street shares.
The Hang Seng Index climbed 176.42 points to 22,289.57.
@MARKET ROUNDUP:asx
SYDNEY - Australian shares rose 0.9 percent, driven by resources companies as gold, oil and metals prices rose with a falling US dollar, and receding debt problems in Dubai and signs of U.S. growth lifted sentiment.
The S&P/ASX 200 index finished 43.3 points higher at 4,762.3, adding to a 0.4 percent rise the previous day.
@MARKET ROUNDUP:south africa
JOHANNESBURG - South African stocks ended a lacklustre session up, notching up a third straight day of gains led by miners on rampant commodity prices, while government bonds extended gains after strong demand at this week's auction.
The All-share index closed at 27,429.76 points, up 152.26 or 0.56 percent.
The All Gold index closed at 2,744.09 points, up 34.45 or 1.27 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 21,058.17 points, down 98.13 or 0.46 percent.
