Frankfurt Dax: 3794.71 (+63.67)

Germany's blue-chip DAX index clocked up gains approaching 4 per cent at the end of late trading, inspired by climbs in Tokyo and Hong Kong, as well as the Dow forging ahead in early US trade. Dealers said the firmer dollar, though off its day's highs, was also buoying market confidence and boosting stocks across the board.

Paris CAC-40: 2772.99 (+76.95)

On the Paris bourse French shares also shot up in early trading and closed at around the day's highs - 2.85 per cent up. Traders cited investor relief over Japan and also said stocks were bolstered by dollar strength against the French franc.

Milan MIBTEL: 15136 (+284)

Italian shares ended higher, but off the day's high point, boosted by the rebound on markets in the Far East and the gains on Wall Street. Banca di Roma, in the middle of a roadshow ahead of its share offering, outperformed the market to close almost 3 per cent higher.