Frankfurt Dax: 4,159.4 (+72.12)

German shares finished with modest gains and not far from the day's lowest level as Wall Street gave up much of its earlier gains. Shares were initially supported by a stronger start on the Dow after it ended the previous day 67 points higher, and the gains on Asian stock markets. The Xetra Dax, reflecting all-day computer trading, closed up 15.37 points, or 0.37 per cent at 4,150.01 points after touching a low of 4,142.41.

Paris CAC: 2,902.93 (+40.39)

The French stock market posted a strong gain yesterday, the CAC 40 index finishing the day up 1.41 per cent from the Monday close. Shares corrected back upwards, though in relatively subdued volume after the recent Asia-fuelled slides.

Milan Mibtel: 17,859 (+226)

The Mibtel rose 1.28 per cent but the close was well off session highs as Wall Street shed gains after a positive start. "We followed Wall Street this afternoon," one dealer said.