Shares move ahead as Dow Jones gains

Frankfurt DAX: 3,327.68 (+47.78)

Frankfurt DAX: 3,327.68 (+47.78)

The Frankfurt stock market surged, ahead with the DAX 30 index adding 1.46 per cent thanks to a rally on Wall Street and a firm dollar. Daimler-Benz gained 2.15 marks to 136.90. It is to make a detailed presentation today of the 1996 balance sheet and of prospects for the current year. BMW was up 36 to 1,416, but Volkswagen was hit by profit-taking, falling 11 marks to 1,039.

Paris CAC 40: 2,602.45 (+36.32)

The Paris Bourse advanced on the back of good reaction to US economic data on Wall Street. The CAC 40 index was up by 0.55 percent just before the US announcement, and by 1.42 per cent shortly after it.

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Milan MIBTEL: 12,320 (+252)

Italian shares close higher on a surge of domestic and foreign buying spurred by hopes of a discount rate cut by the Bank of Italy and an upbeat mood on Wall Street. With the political scene relatively" quiet after last week's drama, market watchers believe shares will continue to remain firm until next week's preliminary consumer price data is issued.