LONDON - Britain's top share index hit a one-month closing high, extending its advance into a fourth consecutive session, led by commodity stocks on firmer metals and oil prices, and with banks also in demand. The FTSE 100 index closed up 48.45 points, or 0.92 percent, at 5,325.09, its highest close since January 21, after rising 32.58 points on Wednesday.

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EUROPE - European shares rose for the fourth consecutive day as generally positive earnings reports lifted sentiment, although automaker Daimler took a beating after scrapping its dividend. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of leading European shares closed 0.7 percent higher at 1,021.66 points, hitting a two-week closing high for the second day and after gaining 2.8 percent in the previous three sessions, despite the continuing sovereign debt crisis in Greece.

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FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended 5,680.41 points, up 32.07 or 0.57 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,747.83 points, up 22.62 or 0.61 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,637.29 points, up 69.69 or 1.06 percent.

MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 22,181.89 points, up 42.4 or 0.19 percent.

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TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 0.28 percent, clawing to its highest close in two weeks, as buying of defensive shares such as retailers outweighed profit-taking a day after the benchmark made its biggest gain in over two months. The Nikkei gained 28.86 points to 10,335.69 after rising 272.58 points on Wednesday.

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HONG KONG - Shares closed down 0.54 percent in thin volumes as investors booked profits from the previous session's two-week closing high amid lingering concerns over China's policy tightening. The Hang Seng Index ended down 111.86 points at 20,422.15, after holding near two-week highs in morning trade.

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SYDNEY - Stocks fell 0.3 percent after cautious outlooks by top companies such as Qantas Airways and as investors paused after the biggest one-day in gain two-and-a-half months in the previous session. The S&P/ASX 200 index fell 12.96 points, to 4,655.

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JOHANNESBURG - Stocks rose slightly, helped by industrial stocks, while the rand quietly consolidated after rallying on Wednesday after the budget. The All-share index closed at 27,280.58 points, up 88 or 0.32 percent.