Italian stocks ended weaker, but little changed from opening levels, in thin trading with most of Europe closed for the Ascension Day holiday.

Traders said the market was hoping for a boost from the nomination of Mr Romani Prodi as the new Prime Minister, a rapid formation of his government, and from an eagerly awaited mini-budget to keep the budget deficit within its ceiling.

No help was received from Wall Street where Dow industrials were stuck in a tight range, seeing profit-taking and volatility ahead of today's double-witching expiries.

Today also sees the expiry in Milan of the May Mib 30 and blue-chip options.

DAX: Closed

The share market was closed yesterday for the public holiday. Regular trading resumes today. The 30-share blue-chip DAX ended bourse trade on Wednesday up 9.02 points at 2528.75.

CAC-40: Closed

French markets were also closed for the public holiday. On Wednesday, the CAC-40 index closed up 2.56 points at 2124.64.