Frankfurt DAX: 6110.73 (-54.79)Buying of stock in SAP software, Daimler-Benz and Vereins bank limited a loss on the DAX 30 index to 0.89 per cent. One dealer, considering the fall to be a consolidation, said: "Even if the DAX falls to 5,900 points, it's nothing to worry about."

Daimler-Benz rose by 4.70 deutschmarks to DM176.90 on investor hopes of strong interims next week.

Paris CAC-40: 4220.12 (-101.96)

The index fell by 2.36 per cent in response to the fall on Wall Street and despite tax changes for 1999 which appeared to be good for businesses. France Telecom, which had fallen for two days owing to an announced recapitalisation and state share sale, rose by 2.09 per cent. Canal Plus television rose by 1.74 per cent to Ffr1,170 on announcing a merger of two digital platforms in Spain.

Milan Mibtel: 25431 (-315)

Italian shares recovered from their low point of the day, and dealers said that the slide was largely a technical correction.