DAX: 4,354.15 (-60.20) German shares ended a lacklustre bourse session lower yesterday as overnight weakness on Wall Street and a touch of pre-weekend catharsis hit sentiment on the stock exchange.

Bank shares were outperforming amid a fresh wave of takeover speculation. The speculation nonetheless pushed financials ahead as the so-called "silly season" - when rumours fly as many market players are away on holiday - started.

CAC-40: 2,996.27 (-60.07) French shares extended their losses in late trade, tracking the dollar's retreat and falls on Wall Street and other markets.

Mibtel: 14,572 (-1.69 per cent) Italian shares slid lower throughout the day to close sharply lower.