LONDON - Britain's top share index closed 0.3 percent higher, lifted by forecast-beating results from US banks Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo. The FTSE 100 closed at 5,257.85 points, up 14.45 or 0.28 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST

EUROPE - European shares closed higher, with oils gaining as crude rose to more than $80 a barrel, and as US companies continued to beat forecasts for third-quarter earnings. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares rose 0.5 percent to close at 1,025.88 points, recouping almost all the loss from the previous session.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROpean markets

FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 5,833.49 points, up 21.72 or 0.37 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,873.22 points, up 1.77 or 0.05 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,434.66 points, up 7.37 or 0.11 percent.

MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 24,698.3 points, down 89.05 or 0.36 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:nikkei

TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei average ended flat near a three-week high in thin trade, as chip-linked shares such as Advantest fell on profit-taking but ocean freight firms climbed after a rise in key shipping index. In light trade, the Nikkei dipped 3.45 points to 10,333.39, after hitting a three-week closing high on Tuesday.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:hang seng

HONG KONG - Hong Kong and Shanghai stocks fell as investors locked in profit ahead of key economic indicators due for release in China today. The Hang Seng Index eased 66.85 points to 22,318.11.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:asx

SYDNEY - Australian stocks trimmed early losses to end down 0.2 percent, as investors bought the dips and awaited more positive economic and corporate news to justify a push higher. The S&P/ASX 200 index lost 7.6 points to end at 4,838.6, putting it back to where it closed at the end of last week.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:south africa

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's rand fell sharply against the dollar early before later regaining its poise, mainly aided by gains on Wall Street and a firmer euro. The All-share index closed at 26,564.65 points, up 120.62 or 0.46 percent.