Frankfurt DAX: 4,919.72 (-26.96)

German shares ended substantially weaker but above the key 4,900 point level as Wall Street staged a slight improvement after a weak open. The Xetra DAX, which measures all-day computer trade, finished 37.36 points lower at 4,908.55.

Bankiing stocks were weaker with Dresdner bank, which lost 3.83 per cent to DM33.96, one of the biggest decliners on the day.

Paris CAC-100: 3,652.52 (-9.11)

French shares ended lower as the market paused for consolidation and profit-taking after strong gains on Monday and Tuesday.

The market hit an all-time high of 3,690.79 in morning trade but failure to break through the 3,700 level triggered selling although shares made up some lost ground toward the close.

Milan Mibtel: 22,249 (+31)

Italian shares closed a touch higher, supported by gains in Eni. Eni shares gained 2.3 per cent to 11,700 lire, lifted by a bounce in Brent oil prices as well as expectations that Eni will announce 1997 net profits of about five trillion lire.