Frankfurt DAX: 2539.41 (+11.23)

The stock exchange ended slightly higher yesterday helped by interest in car makers, chemicals stocks and banks, dealers said. Dealers said a string of first-half results this week from chemical companies was keeping investor interest alive in the sector.

Paris CAC-40: 1980.57 (+2.40)

Shares ended slightly higher in slow summer holiday trade after erasing most of their gains following stronger-than-expected US consumer price and retail sales data. Analysts expected little volume today ahead of the forthcoming four-day holiday weekend in France starting tomorrow.

Milan Mibtel: 9565 (+23)

Italian stocks closed firmer but off the day's highs yesterday in thin trading as Wall Street tumbled. Shares had started firmer in a continuation of Monday's technical bounce but the US economic data caused a bout of nerves on Wall Street and in such thin share trading. Milan followed the US market down from the day's highs.