CAC-40: 1964.21 (+7.83)

Traders said the market was hesitant for much of the session, but later rose, despite a weak bond market and the franc's weakness against the mark.

Analysts said the Bourse was benefiting from abundant liquidity following a reduction of French short-term interest rates, and the extra funds were helping to support the stock market despite numerous uncertainties.

Dax: 2423.01 (-4.06)

The market had expected and had not particularly reacted to the Bundesbank's decision to make no changes in key interest rates, according to traders.

Daimler-Benz fell 2.70 marks to DM804.50 after its Daimler-Benz Aerospace subsidiary announced a record loss of 4.3 billion marks for 1995, on provisional figures.

Mibtel: 9684 (-29)

Italian shares displayed weaknesses in the wake of the failure to form a new Italian government, making early elections more likely. But the market limited its loss to a mild 0.3 per cent fall.