LONDON - Britain's FTSE 100 ended 1.98 percent higher, setting its highest close since early October 2008 and completing a fruitful week for the index as stocks extended their rally on the back of strong economic data. Led by commodity and financial stocks, the FTSE 100 index closed 94.31 points higher at 4,850.89, its fourth straight day of gains and trading above 4,800 for the first time since October 12, 2008.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST

EUROPE - European shares rose to their highest close since early November as better-than expected US July existing homes sales lifted investor sentiment, with banking stocks the major gainers. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares closed up 2.3 percent at 966.87 points.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROmarkets

FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 5,462.74 points, up 151.68 or 2.86 percent, 153.63 points higher on the week.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,615.81 points, up 110.49 or 3.15 percent, gaining 120.54 points over the week.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,139.8 points, up 107.75 or 1.79 percent, adding 154.5 points since Monday.

MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 22,378.26 points, up 491.83 or 2.25 percent, adding 365.01 points in the week.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:nikkei

TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei average slipped 1.4 percent, hurt by the yen's advance against the dollar, with Toyota Motor and other automakers also skidding on news that the United States will end a car rebate programme soon. The Nikkei shed 145.21 points to 10,238.2, ditching 359.13 points over the week.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:hang seng

HONG KONG - Shares dropped 0.64 percent as fears resurfaced about a likely clampdown on lending by mainland banks, while shares in China Mobile continued to slide after a disappointing second-quarter performance. The Hang Seng Index finished 129.84 points lower at 20,199.02, sliding 3.3 percent or 694.31 points for the week.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:asx

SYDNEY - Stocks fell 1.99 percent, their biggest one-day decline in seven weeks, as some earnings disappointments and guarded outlook statements saw a reassessment of hopes for a quick and steep recovery. The S&P/ASX 200 index fell 86.9 points to 4,290.6, losing 170.4 points since last weekend.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:south africa

JOHANNESBURG - Stocks notched up a fourth straight day of gains, boosted by higher metals prices and tracking global equities that rose on hopes that the worst of the global recession may have passed. The All-share index closed at 24,878.71 points, up 277.02 or 1.13 percent, gaining 62.94 points over the week.