The Frankfurt stock market chalked up a moderate gain as the DAX index finished the day up 0.24 per cent by comparison with the Monday close. Traders said the advance was due mainly to the dollar's firmness. The dollar's level is important to the Frankfurt market because of export earnings by many listed companies.

The bond market rose again, and the average yield on government issues fell by 0.04 per cent to 5.58 per cent.

Paris CAC 40 1,983.33 (+15.66)

The Paris Bourse was in good form, thanks mainly to strong bond markets, and the CAC 40 index gained 0.80 per cent in active trading. Volume came in at around 4.5 billion francs.

Milan Mibtel 10.078 (+193)

The Milan market surged thanks particularly to strong progress by Fiat and to new optimism among investors, operators said at the close. The Mibtel index gained 1.95 per cent while trading was rather active with share volume of 717 billion lire.