DAX: 3351.49 (-7.97)

Germany's DAX index ended bourse trade marginally lower, shedding some of the gains from the DAX's recent recovery, after Wall Street ended lower overnight and the dollar lost ground against the deutschmark. Dealers said volumes in the market were very low over the session.

CAC-40: 2607.97 (-9.58)

Equities in Paris finished lower after an indecisive day in which the CAC index drifted in a 21-point range. It dipped below 2,600 points, but recovered to trade above this support level.

Traders said the market lacked big themes to drive the index higher and slim hopes of an interest rate cut were dashed when the Bank of France left rates unchanged at a money market tender.

Mibtel: 12002 (-76)

Italian shares ended easier taking a lead from a lower start to Wall Street as investors awaited further political developments after Wednesday's late parliament vote which kept the centre left government in power, dealers said.