Frankfurt Dax: 2470.14 (+34.35)

German shares slipped from their highs in after hours trading, after a hectic day which saw the market gain almost 1.5 per cent by the official close. After hours electronic dealing saw the Dax slip to 2457 and dealers were wondering whether the market could hold its gains in the absence of an interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve.

Paris CAC-40: 2021.03 (+17.90)

French shares closed higher for the sixth consecutive day, buoyed by foreign buying late in the session. Volume was heavy due to expiry related arbitage dealing. Both Buoygues and Moulinex regained some ground but remained weak - Buoygues because of its profits warning and Moulinex because of the management shakeup.

Milan Mibtel: 9923 (+82)

Italian shares were pushed ahead on a breeze of optimism over an imminent solution to the long running government crisis, after the Socialist leader Mr Massimo D'Alema reported progress towards a cross party accord on constitutional reform.