LONDON - Britain's leading share index was modestly lower as weakness in banks and drugmakers, following results in the two sectors, just countered a jump by BP on hopes for Gulf of Mexico oil well plug success.

By the close, the FTSE 100 was 10.32 points, or 0.2 percent lower at 5,386.16.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST

EUROPE - European equities ended slightly higher as better-than-expected US services and private sector employment figures offset weaker retail shares that fell on concerns of a decline in consumer demand.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares closed 0.23 point higher at 1,071.02 points.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROmarkets

FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 6,331.33 points, up 23.42 or 0.37 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,760.72 points, up 13.21 or 0.35 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,380.3 points, up 42.58 or 0.67 percent.

MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 21,914.08 points, down 14.48 or 0.07 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:nikkei

TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei average slid 2.1 percent, with exporters hit as the dollar fell towards a 15-year low versus the yen on disappointing US data and talk the Federal Reserve may ease policy further.

In light trade, the Nikkei fell 204.67 points to 9,489.34.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:hang seng

HONG KONG - Hong Kong shares rose 0.4 percent to a three-month high as investors snapped up large cap stocks, but players were cautious after the recent rally took the benchmark index deeper into overbought territory.

The Hang Seng Index ended at 21,549.88, taking its gains since late May to nearly 15 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:asx

SYDNEY - Australian stocks retreated 0.7 percent as skittish investors took profits following two days of gains, after disappointing US economic data cast a pall over prospects for global recovery.

The S&P/ASX 200 index fell 29.5 points to 4,542.1 in below-average volume after rising 0.7 percent on Tuesday to a six-week high.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:south africa

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's rand hovered close to overnight closing levels against the dollar while stocks slipped for a second day, pushed lower by retail and banking shares.

The All-share index closed at 28,540.46 points, down 86.71 or 0.3 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,438.62 points, up 35.2 or 1.46 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 23,178.68 points, down 59.77 or 0.26 percent.