LONDON - Retreating mining and energy stocks outweighed modest gains from defensive pharmaceuticals, pushing Britain's top share index down 0.5 percent by the close.

The FTSE closed 26.22 points lower at 4,890.58 after hitting a near 11-month closing high at 4,916.8 on Tuesday after reassuring data from the US.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROFIRST

EUROPE - European shares slipped back from a 10-month closing high, as investors took profits, even as German and US economic data continued to point to recovery.

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index of top shares fell 0.5 percent to a close of 973.92 points, breaking a four-day winning streak, and having hit its highest close since early October on Tuesday.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:EUROmarkets

FRANKFURT - The DAX index ended at 5,521.97 points, down 35.12 or 0.63 percent.

PARIS - The CAC-40 index closed at 3,668.34 points, down 12.27 or 0.33 percent.

ZURICH - The Swiss market index closed at 6,176.97 points, down 23.88 or 0.39 percent.

MILAN - The FT IT All Share index closed at 22,987.53 points, up 58.86 or 0.26 percent.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:nikkei

TOKYO - Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 1.4 percent to hit its highest close in 10 months after US data strengthened hopes for an economic recovery, but trade was cautious ahead of an August 30 election in Japan.

The Nikkei gained 142.35 points to 10,639.71, its highest close since October 3.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:hang seng

HONG KONG - Hong Kong shares were little changed by the close of trade with investors staying on the sidelines amid concerns over liquidity in the China markets, even as strong earnings momentum buoyed shares in China Life and Air China.

The Hang Seng Index finished 21.08 points higher at 20,456.32 even as turnover dropped to its lowest in more than six weeks.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:asx

SYDNEY - Australian stocks rose 1.1 percent, buoyed by solid economic data from the US that reinforced expectations for global recovery, while Westfield Group jumped on upbeat results.

The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 48.7 points to 4,454.5, its highest close since August 14.

@MARKET ROUNDUP:south africa

JOHANNESBURG - South African stocks fell for the second straight day, led by resources, while the rand slipped against a resurgent dollar after a less-than-rosy US durable goods report knocked riskier trades.

The All-share index closed at 25,113.88 points, down 72.22 or 0.29 percent.