Frankfurt Dax: 2444.92 (+2.58)

German shares closed bourse dealings ahead by 0. 11 per cent in stagnant, uncertain trade, with the dollar remaining strong and bunds slightly firmer. But the market was seen as not enthusiastic. The slide on Wall Street and in Tokyo weighed on sentiment. In postbourse trade the DAX index stood at 2,449.09.

Paris CAC-40: 1974.52 (+13.59)

French shares ended higher, with interest focused on Valeo and speculation on Chargeurs, after trading in the holding company was suspended this morning. Holding company Cerus denied after the close a decision had been taken to sell its 28 per cent stake in car parts maker Valeo. Chargeurs announced a demerger into two quoted companies.

Milan Mibtel: 9502 (+54)

Milan shares closed higher in largely a technical reaction to Monday's losses, while there was little fresh developments to give real direction to stock trading in a day of very light volume, dealers said.