Frankfurt Dax: 3216.14 (+28.56)

Germany shares hit a record close in bourse trade boosted by the dollar's ongoing resilience against comments aimed at braking its rise and ended later screen based trade broadly higher. In post bourse trade, the IBIS DAX eased slightly to 3211.01 points, as the rally's momentum faded. The dollar was the focus of the day as it breached 1.69 deutschmarks in early dealings on a report, later denied by the Bundesbank, that German officials wanted the US currency to trade between DM1.70 and DM1.75.

Paris CAC-40: 2599.33 (+17.24)

Frcnch shares ended higher but just below the key 2600 level, as continued dollar strength supported the market, traders said. Banking and financial stocks led the risers, with the market continuing to see robust volumes. Milan MIBTEL: 12490 (-85)

Italian shares faltered after a firmer start and drifted off throughout a subdued trading day to close lower with food group Parmalat and banking stocks weighing down on the market, dealers said.