Frankfurt DAX: 2658.97 (+20.52)

Shares in Germany hit new records yesterday amid a wave of short covering and some genuine buying after the Federal Reserve's decision to leave US interest rates unchanged. Dealers, who had been broadly expecting a 25 basis point rise in US rates, rushed to cover short positions as trading progressed, correcting a brief slide in prices in early trade on the weaker dollar.

Paris CAC-40: 2103.41 (+36.32)

The Paris Bourse chalked up strong advances yesterday as the CAC-40 indexbroke up through the 2,100 point level for the first time since July 4th. The Mat if (financial futures market) also gained ground. Analysts said the calls for a strike by some civil service unions did not particularly worry operators.

Milan Mibtel: 9,743 (+106)

Italian shares ended sharply higher following surging domestic bonds and a firmer lira while the changes to Milan's MIB 30 bluechip index of top Italian shares encouraged buying interest.