German shares ended bourse trade down over one percentage point as uncertainty about a cut in German interest rates today and the volatile dollar unsettled market players. At the end of bourse trade, the DAX index, which measures floor dealings in 30 blue chip German companies, was down 27.27 points, or 1.09 per cent. The DAX pared some of its losses in the IBIS computer session, ending at 2459.13.

Paris CAC-40: 1954.10 (-28.13)

French shares closed down sharply but above the session lows as the Dow recovered from its early slump. At one stage, the CAC fell below a key support level at 1950 while the futures contract was also down heavily.

Milan Mibtel: 9681 (-184)

The Milan market suffered a 2 per cent fall but volumes were very low. There is a tone of bearishness in the market which is already depressed by reports that the Greens - part of the ruling coalition - might split on differences over a motorway project.