Frankfurt DAX: 4,391.54 (+38.91)

German shares finished in weak territory near the day's lows, knocked by Wall Street's fall. Worries about further storms in Asian markets also cast a shadow over German shares although underlying sentiment was seen as rosy and traders said the life high of the index was within reach.

The Xetra DAX, which reflects all-day computer trading, shed 20.07 points to close at 4,339.98 although the DAX-30 earlier closed firmer on initial hopes that the Dow would start better.

Paris CAC-40: 3006.73 (-31)

The French stock market closed 1 per cent lower yesterday with the banking sector taking the brunt of losses amid increasing worries over the Asian crisis.

Milan Mibtel: 17,839 (+77)

Italian shares fell from the day's earlier highs after reaching a new record for the third consecutive day to close with a gain of about half a percentage point.

The market changed direction after US shares opened lower on Wall Street, triggering a wave of profit-taking.