Frankfurt DAX: 4,352.63 (-32.18)German shares closed weaker as the market consolidated after a two-day rally on the back of a strong dollar. A soft early performance by Wall Street and wariness about further turbulence in Asian financial markets cast a further pall on the local market.

The Xetra DAX finished 56.90 points lower at 4,360.05. Siemens was among the most active stocks after it announced on Monday that it would team up with Motorola to develop new computer chip technology while Schering was among the biggest percentage losers.

Paris CAC-40: 3,037.73 (-35.11)

French shares slid after six straight rising sessions yesterday but ended above their session lows. The market skidded on a slump in oil stocks as Brent hit new lows and analysts downgraded crude price forecasts.

Energy groups Elf and Total made up 77 per cent of the fall.

Elf was the market's most active stock, tumbling 7.92 per cent to 663 francs as it was downgraded by Societe Generale. But the bank named Total and Royal Dutch/ Shell as safer oil stocks.

Milan Mibtel: The Italian market was closed yesterday for a public holiday.