DAX: 3579.42 (-16.67)

German shares ended the day lower, hurt by the weaker dollar and a sharp sell-off in German bonds.

The fall on Wall Street also hit the market, and the DAX quickly reversed early gains which had seen the index reach a record high.

In after-hours trading, the market weakened further with the IBIS DAX closing on 3575.44. Traders expect limited action in the market ahead of the weekend.

CAC-40: 2741.65 (-44.70)

French shares closed sharply lower on profit-taking ahead of the end of the account after the market had reached record highs in recent trading.

Rumours about unpublished opinion polls on the election also weighed down on the market. Further slippage is expected today when the May account closes and ahead of Sunday's first round of voting. Mibtel: 12410 (-117)

Italian shares closed well down as expectations of an imminent rate cut receded and bond futures came off sharply in late trading.