German shares ended bourse trade higher and near the session peak, extending gains from earlier in the week.

The DAX sought to break the psychologically important 2,500 barrier despite some traders saying the market was oversold.

CAC-40:2009.9 (+14.01)

French stocks finished near their session highs after the bourse hitched onto an early rise on Wall Street on US economic data suggesting that the economy lost steam in July.

Mibtel:9705 (+ 56)

Italian shares rebounded at the close on the back of Wall Street's strong showing after US data showed the American economy was growing more slowly than expected.

The fall in the US National Association of Purchasing Management's index of manufacturing activity fell in July, showing slower than expected economic growth and helping to reduce speculation the Federal Reserve would have to act soon to tighten monetary policy.