LONDON - Britain's top share index hit a 10-week closing high, as a buoyant banking sector boosted by strong results from Swiss lender UBS countered weak US consumer confidence data. The FTSE 100 closed at 5,365.67 points, up 14.55 or 0.27 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST

EUROPE - European shares rose to a five-week closing high as strong results from UBS boosted banks, but more than half the market's early gains were erased after data showed a drop in US consumer confidence.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares advanced for a sixth straight session to finish 0.5 percent firmer at 1,054.17 points, its highest close since June 21, but much lower than the index's intra-day high of 1,061.46.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROmarkets

FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 6,207.31 points, up 13.1 or 0.21 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,666.4 points, up 30.22 or 0.83 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,275.19 points, up 75.73 or 1.22 percent.

MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 21,601.27 points, up 316.15 or 1.49 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:nikkei

TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei average edged down 0.1 percent after failing to break above a key resistance level, with support from robust earnings at home countered by persistent worries about a strong yen. The Nikkei shed 6.81 points to 9,496.85 after failing to break decisively above resistance at 9,520, the level of its 25-day moving average.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:hang seng

HONG KONG - China's key stock index fell as investors booked profits after six straight sessions of gains, wary about whether the battered market can make a sustained break higher. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 0.6 percent, or 133.48 points to close at 20,973.39, extending a five-day winning streak.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:asx

SYDNEY - Australian stocks edged up 0.3 percent to a one-month closing high, led by the major banks, but the key 4,500 mark proved too tough to surmount. The S&P/ASX 200 index added 11.3 points to 4,497.4, the third straight day of gains.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:south africa

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's rand hit a fresh three-and-a-half month high against the dollar on positive investor sentiment towards emerging markets. The All-share index closed at 28,414.32 points, down 84.68 or 0.3 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,278.91 points, down 49.49 or 2.13 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 23,203.05 points, down 94.68 or 0.41 percent.