Stocks ended 1996 floor trade with a 1.25 per cent gain on the day and not far off the year highs seen earlier in the month. A strong dollar and firmer debt were seen as underpinning trade in a session marked by thin trade as a result of holidays, bad weather and an end of year reluctance by traders to take new positions.

Paris CAC-40: 2318.63 (+11.68)

French stocks finished just over half a percentage point higher yesterday, supported by early gains on Wall Street and leading European bourses, brokers said. Block trades ahead of today's expiry of future and options accounted for much of the activity.

Milan Mibtel: 10592 (+91)

Comments by a government minister that the cabinet might consider measures to boost the flagging car industry boosted Fiat, making it the centre of attention in a session marked by healthy gains in thin trade. The blue chip Mib 30 index rose 0.7 per cent on the day with the all share index up 0 .87 per cent at 10592.