The Christmas holidays put a brake to trading on the Frankfurtbourse. Shares stalled in afternoon trading as the market wound down for a three day holiday.

Volumes were much weaker with no clear trend emerging. The market will be closed from today until Friday.

"At least we've got Solitaire here" said a trader. "There's absolutely nothing else to do".

Paris CAC-40: 2,287.44 (+8.91)

French stocks were slightly higher, after having spent most of the day in the red, following afternoon support by a higher Wall Street market.

The US markets were boosted by the November personal income data. Paris had suffered earlier from profit taking on the last day of the December account.

Milan Mibtel: 10,487 (+0.25%)

Italian stocks ended a touch firmer but slipped off session highs due to slight late selling after a very thin session ahead of the Christmas holidays.

The Milan stock exchange will be closed until Friday.