The Frankfurt stock market jumped by 1.26 per cent as the DAX index finished the day at 2548.73 points.

Traders said the strong performance had been especially due to the dollar's strength, pushing up auto stocks and chemicals particularly. (A strong dollar translates into good export earnings for such firms.) They said the uptrend had actually gotten under way on Friday in after close trading.

Paris CAC-40: 2020.30 (+15.55)

The Paris market racked up a substantial advance as the CAC 40 index finished at 2020.30 points, up 0.78 per cent from the Friday close. Paris traders said the market had followed Wall Street, which posted a good gain on Friday, and gained from the franc's firmness as the currency traded at 3.4150 francs to the mark against 3.4160 Friday evening in Paris.

Milan MIBTEL: 9430 (+37)

Italian shares closed mostly higher despite a collapse in the price of Olivetti which returned to the market after a two day suspension.