Frankfurt Dax: 4088.92 (+55.95)

The German market shed some of its gains in electronic after-hours trading, with the IBIS Dax closing on 4074.2. In earlier trading, the market was boosted by the strength of international markets, and the strength of the dollar at DM1.79.

Paris CAC-40: 3017.45 (+40.27)

French shares were sharply higher with the CAC closing above the 3000 level, boosted by four take-over bids in the past two weeks. Volume was hefty with trading boosted by a swirl of take-over rumours, while dealers said that the market was also boosted by the dollar's rise back above six francs.

Milan MIBTEL: 15842 (+613)

The Milan stock market powered its way to its biggest ever one-day gain in euphoric trading, resulting from speculation about a possible cut in short-term interest rates.

The Mibtel index zoomed ahead by 613 points or 4.03 per cent to end at 15,842 points.

Share volume was estimated at a huge (for Milan) three trillion lire (£1.1 billion).