Frankfurt DAX: 4,068.01 (-32.66) German shares ended near their best levels yesterday as a firmer Wall Street and a stronger dollar gave the market a boost, dealers said.

Paris CAC-40: 2,940.89 (+16.38) In Paris, the market was indecisive for the bulk of the session, but got into gear in the latter part. Traders said the Bourse was helped by Wall Street's firm opening. Trading was quiet, with turnover on the monthly settlement market of 5.1 billion francs.

Milan Mibtel: 14,739 (+38) Italian shares closed flat to slightly firmer with most buying interest focused on hi-tech group Olivetti and related shares. Olivetti shares rose as much as 28 per cent at opening after the loss-making company said Germany's Mannesmann would pay 2.35 trillion lire for a stake in its fixed-line and cellular phone assets. They closed 18 per cent higher at 916 lire.

Italian stocks are expected to fall in the coming days, said traders.