DAX: 4,284.94 (+100.48)

German shares briefly nosed above the key 4,300 level before dipping slightly to close not far under their day's highs, boosted by a stronger dollar. The market had risen earlier on a bounce in Asian markets but this was treated cautiously.

Paris CAC-40: 2,986.95 (+10.86)

French shares finished modestly higher yesterday after investor caution undercut early euphoria triggered by strong gains in Asian stock markets. The bank sector weakened after Moody's put more French institutions under credit watch. Volume was constrained by Wall Street's closure in commemoration of Martin Luther King.

Milan Mibtel: 18,274 (-94)

Italian shares ended easier but above session lows as an early rally which took indices to record highs fizzled out on profit-taking after strong recent rallies. Olivetti, on the first day of its 1.0 trillion lire capital increase, ended 4.35 per cent higher at 1,416 lire in volume of more than 159 million shares.