International stocks trading in New York closed higher Wednesday, with the Bank of New York index of American depositary receipts adding 1% to 151.29. The European index rose 0.9% to 151.22, the Asian index climbed 1.2% to 142.54, the Latin American index added 0.9% to 283.87, and the emerging-markets index rose 0.7% to 277.51. Among the companies with shares that actively traded were Credit Suisse Group AG (CS, CSGN.VX) and ASML Holding NV (ASML, ASML.AE).

Credit Suisse's investment-banking business weighed on profit in the first quarter, forcing Switzerland's second-largest bank by assets to lean heavily on its roots in private banking. The company delivered a disappointing profit figure for the quarter. Shares fell 1.7% to $31.22.

Semiconductor-equipment maker ASML said Wednesday that first-quarter net profit more than doubled as it sold more systems. However, the company cut its first-half guidance slightly to reflect lower demand from some of its clients. Shares declined 3.4% to $82.23.

Insurer Aviva PLC (AV, AV.LN) announced measures to simplify its life-insurance joint ventures in Italy. The company has reached agreements with UBI Banca and UniCredit SpA (UCG.MI) to restructure the joint ventures and will make a $41.8 million payment as part of the restructuring. Shares added 2.5% to $17.03.

Syngenta AG (SYT, SYNN.VX) reported first-quarter sales that broadly met expectations and were helped by a strong start to the European season and growth in emerging markets. Shares of the Swiss company, which makes agricultural products designed to increase crop productivity, rose 1.9% to $77.72.

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV (PAC, GAP.MX) said the allegations by a shareholder that the company deceived shareholders by crafting an agenda for the ordinary and extraordinary shareholders' meeting that prevents shareholders from exercising their right to vote at the meeting in an informed and meaningful manner are baseless. Shares added 2.5% to $59.22.

GlaxoSmithKline PLC (GSK, GSK.LN) is investigating claims its employees bribed doctors in Jordan and Lebanon by offering perks such as flexible travel arrangements and free samples that doctors could sell on, according to emails reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. Shares still rose 1% to $52.82.

Barclays PLC (BCS, BARC.LN) settled a legal dispute with one of Africa's largest money-transfer companies after the British bank was accused of unfairly trying to shut down its bank account. Shares added 2.2% to $16.07.

Write to Anna Prior at anna.prior@wsj.com

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires