German shares ended trading off earlier session highs as a firmer start on Wall Street and a 3 per cent rise in US housing starts failed to inspire the IBIS DAX to climb new highs. The IBIS DAX index closed the day up 12.19 points at 2484.74. Earlier it had broken through the psychologically and technically crucial 2,500 point barrier.
Paris CAC 40 1967.20 (+2.18)
The Paris market closed marginally higher after an afternoon fall wiped out earlier gains. The market had started higher after the huge overnight gains on Wall Street, an improvement in bond prices and a strong franc, but lost its impetus after Wall Street opened.
Milan MIBTEL 9457 (+49)
Italian shares ended slightly firmer after an uninspiring session. It lost some of its early gains after the indifferent opening on Wall Street. Business was very thin with the lack of volatility wiping out arbitrage margins.
