LONDON - Britain's top shares closed 0.62 percent higher, lifted by firmer commodities after upbeat US data raised demand expectations, while Vodafone fell as Verizon merger talk cooled. The FTSE 100 ended up 35.46 points at 5,780.35, having earlier hit a fresh 21-month intra-day peak of 5,790.4. The index climbed 65.25 points on Thursday and was closed on Friday and Monday for the Easter holiday.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST

EUROPE - European stocks hit an 18-month closing high for a second straight session, boosted by commodity shares, which advanced on expectations of improving demand outlook for metals and oils following recent robust data. However, the gains in equities were capped as a number of newspaper reports cast doubt on Greece's ability to emerge from its fiscal crisis. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares ended 0.7 percent higher at 1,101.43 points, the highest close since September 2008.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROmarkets

FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 6,252.21 points, up 16.65 or 0.27 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 4,053.94 points, up 19.71 or 0.49 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,886.21 points, down 2.71 or 0.04 percent.

MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 23,847.27 points, up 128.34 or 0.54 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:nikkei

TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei average fell 0.5 percent as profit-taking emerged after successive days of 18-month highs, with exporters such as Canon losing ground on a slightly stronger yen. The Nikkei fell 56.98 points to 11,282.32.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:hang seng

HONG KONG - Hong Kong markets were closed on Tuesday at the end of the Ching Ming Festival. Markets reopen on Wednesday. Last Thursday, the Hang Seng Index ended up 1.4 percent or 297.65 points at 21,537, its highest close since January 19.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:asx

SYDNEY - Stocks rose 0.94 percent to touch an 18-month high, shrugging off an interest rate rise as the prospects of stronger global demand and merger activity lifted resources shares. The S&P/ASX 200 index advanced 45.9 points to 4,953.7.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:south africa

JOHANNESBURG - The rand fell against the dollar in step with the euro while stocks ended higher led by food retailers and mining shares on the first day of trading after a 4-day weekend for Easter. The All-share index closed at 29,367.74 points, up 347.72 or 1.2 percent. The All Gold index closed at 2,322.74 points, up 78.82 or 3.51 percent, while the Industrial index closed at 22,673.18 points, up 139.44 or 0.62 percent.