German shares ended trade comfortably ahead of pre-Easter closing prices, as the stronger dollar and a modest recovery in German bonds helped shares shrug off Wall Street's overnight slide. The IBIS DAX index of electronically-traded shares closed late afternoon trade at 2510.81 points, up 12.06 points or nearly half a percentage point. The market was bolstered by an early rally on Wall Street.
Paris CAC-40: 2081.71 (+6.75)
French shares, in a show of independence and resilience, shrugged off Wall Street weakness to close higher, as some operators looked for an interest rate cut this week from the Bank of France. Any softening in rates would help prop up flagging economic growth in France and boost companies' sales.
Milan MIBTEL: 9508 (+116)
Italian shares shook off the depressing influence of Wall Street to edge ahead in a quiet day taking support from firmer bonds and the lira, while light buying interest continued to be seen at the lower levels.
