DAX: 4000.48 (-10.00)

German shares ended post-bourse computer trade not far from their best levels of the day, supported by a stronger Wall Street, but the lack of buying kept a lid on the market.

Gains in the 30-share bluechip DAX index were restrained by a 6 per cent fall in Deutsche Telekom shares, which tumbled after disappointing first-half results. CAC-40: 2978.37 (+34.37)

French shares closed over 1 per cent higher, boosted by the early rise on Wall Street after positive US economic figures.

Mibtel: 15075 (+194)

Italian shares closed firmer helped by gains in bond futures and on Wall Street, with the Fib-30 stock index future above 23,000 in active trading ahead of today's futures and options expiry.

Gainers outnumbered losers by 133 to 94, with 30 stocks unchanged. The All-share Mibtel index ended 1.3 per cent up at 15,075, while the Mib-30 blue-chip index closed 1.51 per cent up at 22,796 and the Fib-30 index was up 1.81 per cent at a late 23,025.