Frankfurt Dax: 4,043.02 (-41.73)

The all-day computer-traded Xetra Dax finished 70.19 points stronger at 4,125.54 points although the floor-traded blue-chip Dax closed lower, unable to reap the benefits of Dow support.

Trade was quiet as pre-Christmas cheer brought with it a lack of interest ahead of the festive season and market closure from Wednesday.

Paris CAC-40: 2,869.73 (+46.83)

French shares countered a sharply weaker trend in other European markets to stage a 1.66 per cent recovery although volume was light ahead of monthly settlement day today.

Total volume at 7.2 billion francs was less than normal and clearly lighter than the over 10 billion booked on Friday when the index slid almost 2.5 per cent.

Milan Mibtel: 16,168 (+237)

Italian shares ended at session highs yesterday after a hesitant start, boosted by Wall Street firmness and amid expectations of market-friendly Italian preliminary CPI data for December from 11 sample cities.