Frankfurt DAX: 2537.17 (+4.76)

German shares ended an uneventful session marginally higher, supported by the strength of the dollar but lacking the necessary impetus to forge more substantial gains. Volkswagen lost early gains after a denial of market rumours that it had settled its legal battle with GM.

Paris CAC-40: 2138.36 (+22.01)

The Paris market closed at its best level for a year, buoyed by rising bond prices and speculative interest in some financial stocks.

Milan Mibtel: 10570 (+52)

Italian shares closed mostly higher but the market was weighed down by a sell off of shares in oil giant ENI due to profit taking and industrial conglomerate Fiat on disappointing first quarter sales.