LONDON - Britain's top share index edged down, pressured by miners and banks, with investors booking profits from hefty gains last week, while the market searched for direction as the earnings season tailed off.

The FTSE 100 ended down 0.2 percent, or 9.36 points at 4,722.2.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST

EUROPE - European shares fell after hitting their highest close in more than nine months in the previous session, as miner Rio Tinto came under pressure on China spy case and Volkswagen led auto sector lower.

The FTSEurofirst 300 of top European shares closed 0.6 percent lower at 944.64 points. Volumes on the pan-European index were about 69 percent of its 90-day daily average volume.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROmarkets

FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 5,418.12 points, down 40.84 or 0.75 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,504.54 points, down 16.6 or 0.47 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,007.55 points, down 18.85 or 0.31 percent.

MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 22,033.99 points, up 155.73 or 0.71 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:nikkei

TOKYO - The Nikkei average hit its highest close in 10 months, buoyed by stronger-than-expected US jobs data and a report that Mitsubishi Chemical was in talks to acquire resin maker Mitsubishi Rayon.

In light trade, the Nikkei rose 1.1 percent or 112.17 points to 10,524.26, its highest finish since October 3.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:hang seng

HONG KONG - Hong Kong shares recouped last week's losses as stocks across the board surged on better-than-expected US data, but China stocks edged lower amid investor caution over possible changes to the country's easy monetary policy.

The Hang Seng Index finished up 2.72 percent or 554.15 points at 20,929.52, its highest closing level since September.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:asx

SYDNEY - Australian stocks were flat, shedding most of their early gains, as investors turned nervous ahead of a rush of corporate earnings later in the week and Rio Tinto was hit by more China spy allegations.

The S&P/ASX 200 index closed up 4.7 points, or 0.1 percent, at 4,304.1.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:south africa

JOHANNESBURG - South African markets were closed yesterday for a public holiday.

On Friday, the All-share index closed at 25,071.01 points, the All Gold index closed at 2,418.75 points and the Industrial index ended at 19,509.31 points.