Frankfurt DAX: 5861.19 (-18.81)

The German DAX ended slightly weaker, despite better-than-expected second quarter US GDP figures. Weaker Wall Street trading dragged the market down. Hefty gains by blue-chip Dresdner Bank failing to counter losses by Volkswagen and BMW. Volkswagen was down after a newspaper report that suggested the German car makers boom is over.

Paris CAC-40: 4177.31 (-20.33)

Paris stocks closed down on Friday following a slide on Wall Street, as French investors with one eye on the weekend failed to maintain the enthusiasm which marked morning trade on the bourse. Trade started off briskly, but lacked conviction and investors soon turned to profit-taking in the absence of other news, borkers said.

Milan Mibtel: 24460 (-237)

Italian shares closed near the day's lows, slumping along with other European markets after US stocks opened lower. The weakness of the Yen accentuated concerns about the Asian economy, dealers said.

Leading shares were mostly lower, with the exception of banking stocks. San Paolo shares rose 1.35 per cent to 30,650 lira and gained 2.85 per cent after the two banks approved plans for their merger.