Frankfurt DAX: 4282.84 (-25.07)German shares ended the day from profit-taking and persisting concerns over Asia. Dealers said Asian financial woes continued to trouble local shares. Pharmaceutical shares such as Schwarz Pharma and Schering benefited from takeover speculation in the wake of SKB/AHP planned merger.

Paris CAC-40: 2998.11 (-10.23)

The French market ended a six-day run of gains and fell below the psychological 3,000 level on the CAC-40 after an indecisive day. Euro Disney was the day's top gainer, closing over 7 per cent higher after first-quarter revenues rose due to higher attendances and higher hotel occupancy rates.

Milan Mibtel: 18272 (-213)

Italian shares suffered further losses due to the lower dollar and the weak opening session on Wall Street. The weakness was seen as an opportunity to take profits from a market which has had an exceptionally strong run.