German shares ended the day sharply ahead after softer-than-expected US data fuelled a mini-rally on the bond market and a fresh burst of interest in financial shares. Allianz AG led the late advance which took the IBIS DAX index up 1.6 per cent or 52.90 points to end at 3,425.86 points.
Paris CAC-40: 2,602.86 (+52.61)
French traders said the market strengthened on the back of market-friendly US data which appeared to lower the risk of an interest rate rise by the Fed next month.
A three per cent fall in US durable goods orders in March and a lower-than-expected 0.6 per cent rise in the Employment Cost Index for the first quarter sent bond and stock prices soaring in the afternoon, with Paris following suit.
Milan Mibtel: 12,164 (+89)
Italian shares closed mostly higher in a thin market, supported by bond futures strength and lira firmness, but lagged other major European exchanges on worries of political volatility after weekend municipal elections.
