Frankfurt DAX: 4502.48 (-34.35)

German shares ended up on the day after a brief foray below the psychologically-important 4,500 level. Dealers said the rebound was above 4,500 points, and a stronger dollar was supporting the market. The upward trend is seen to be remaining in place but a consolidation phase is expected in the short term.

Paris CAC-40: 3187.73 (+9.03)

The Paris bourse ended up 0.28 per cent after French shares, holding a dream ticket of strong fundamentals and high liquidity finished on a high note.

"We are in an ideal environment for share markets," Mr Florent Brones, a BNP strategist, said. "Interest rates continue to fall and bond yields have dropped to historic lows in Europe and the United States."

Milan Mibtel: 19,577 (-32)

Italian shares ended flat in thin volume trade yesterday with little impetus to trade higher. For the next week, dealers said stocks would look to Wall Street for direction, but consolidation is likely to be the name of the game.