Frankfurt DAX: 6011.85 (+50.87)

German shares held on to their gains in afternoon trade yesterday after crossing the 6,000 threshold for the first time. A positive opening on Wall Street helped bolster the market. Deutsche Lufthansa was the most active share, dropping 45 pfennigs to DM54.15 after the European Commission imposed conditions for an approval of an alliance between Lufthansa and two other airlines.

Paris CAC-40: 4,339.91 (+6.82)

French shares nudged up to their 46th closing high of the year but ended a quiet session off their earlier highs as the French market prepared for last night's World Cup semi-final match between France and Croatia.

Alcatel was again the biggest volume stock, gaining 1.79 per cent to 1,364 francs after a 5.59 per cent rise on Tuesday.

Milan Mibtel: 24,739 (+279)

Shares changed direction in afternoon trade, bolstered by a strong opening on Wall Street and record highs in other European markets.