LONDON - Britain's top share index closed higher, led by miners on the back of firmer metals prices, with investor sentiment buoyed by positive corporate earnings releases from the US.

The market's reaction to the British government's spending review was limited.

The FTSE 100 ended up 25.04 points, or 0.4 percent, at 5,728.93, having closed 0.7 percent lower at 5,703.89 on Tuesday.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST

EUROPE - European shares ended higher, led by strength in mining stocks, although mixed company earnings and massive UK government spending cuts capped gains.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares finished 0.3 percent higher at 1,086.48.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROmarkets

FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 6,524.55 points, up 33.86 or 0.52 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,828.15 points, up 20.98 or 0.55 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,477.2 points, up 5.24 or 0.08 percent.

MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 21,975.02 points, up 177.42 or 0.81 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:nikkei

TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei average fell almost two percent to book its lowest close in two weeks as investors rushed to take profits after China unexpectedly tightened credit.

The Nikkei lost 157.85 points, or 1.7 percent, to 9,381.6, its lowest close since October 4. It fell as much as 2.3 percent at one stage.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:hang seng

HONG KONG - Hong Kong stocks fell as property and commodity issues were hit by China's surprise interest rate hike, while insurers rallied.

The Hang Seng Index closed down 0.9 percent at 23,556.5. The China Enterprises Index also ended 0.9 percent lower.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:asx

MELBOURNE - Australian stocks fell 0.7 percent, as miners fell after top metals consumer China unexpectedly moved to tighten credit and investors moved out of risky assets into the US dollar.

The S&P/ASX 200 index lost 30.78 points to close at 4,624.8.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:south africa

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's rand firmed against the dollar yesterday, recouping the previous day's losses after news that the US will pump more money to boost its economy sent the dollar lower. The resource-heavy local bourse ended a touch higher led by miners on stronger commodity prices.

The All-share index closed at 30,080.5 points, up 77.42 or 0.26 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,526.46 points, up 13.19 or 0.52 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 25,136.54 points, down 123.31 or 0.49 percent.