LONDON - Britain's top share index ended lower for a fifth straight session as generally disappointing US results hurt investor sentiment, offsetting strong gains from mining stocks buoyed by firmer metals prices. The FTSE 100 closed at 5,139.46 points, down 8.82 or 0.17 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST

EUROPE - European stocks ended mostly unchanged, pausing after a one-week losing run as mining stocks rallied along with metal prices in late session, offsetting disappointing results from US companies.

Spanish stocks such as Santander also rose, helped by Spain's successful Treasury bill sale that eased worries over the country's ability to tap the debt market.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares closed 0.04 percent higher at 1,006.64 points.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROmarkets

FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 5,967.49 points, down 41.62 or 0.69 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,468.02 points, down 18.31 or 0.53 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,123.42 points, down 33.22 or 0.54 percent.

MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 20,475.45 points, down 142.18 or 0.69 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:nikkei

TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei average fell 1.2 percent, with tech shares hit by worry over the pace of US economic recovery, disappointing US corporate results and a strong yen. The Nikkei shed 107.9 points to end at 9,300.46.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:hang seng

HONG KONG - Hong Kong stocks rebounded, lifted by mainland issues and banks after China moved closer to internationalising the yuan. The Hang Seng Index closed up 173.64 points, or 0.86 percent at 20,264.59.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:asx

SYDNEY - Australian stocks snapped a three day losing streak gaining one percent, helped by firm metals and oil prices, and buoyant Asian markets. The S&P/ASX 200 index gained 45.29 points to 4,403.6.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:south africa

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's bonds gained sharply and money markets rates fell to record lows on increased hopes for a rate cut later this week, while stocks ended largely flat.

The All-share index closed at 27,349.61 points, up 19.86 or 0.07 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,352.88 points, down 15.81 or 0.67 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 22,417.97 points, down 18.89 or 0.08 percent.