Frankfurt DAX: 5103.84 (+180.47); Paris CAC-40: 3803.74 (+108.3)

A sharp rise in machinery maker Man and a strong afternoon rally by the banks drove Frankfurt higher, sending the Xetra DAX index briefly through key resistance at 5,100 points.

The index made an optimistic start in the wake of satisfactory performances in Asia and found support in Wall Street's early surge. By the close of electronic trade, the Xetra was up 149.88 or 3 per cent at 5,095.62.

Man led the advance with a rise of 12 per cent after the machinery maker unveiled a much better than expected 75 per cent rise in full-year net profit.

Deutsche Bank was another winner, rising 6.30 deutschmarks to DM114.50 after chief executive, Mr Rolf Breuer dismissed as rubbish suggestions that the bank was suffering trading losses as a result of the Russian crisis. edit Lyonnais. Allianz declined to comment beyond saying it had expressed interest in the French group in the past. Reinsurer Munich Re also gained, up DM54 to DM740.

Paris punched up through 3,800 for the first time in nine trading days with the banks again leading the way. The CAC-40 index ended up 108.3 at 3,803.74.

Banks continued to rally in heavy volume on positive broker comment. Societe Generale gained 54 French francs at Ffr994 and BNP Ffr25.50 or 6.9 per cent to Ffr393. Motors were in the fast lane too as the sector's results season approaches.

Zurich continued the recovery that began last week and the SMI index finished 185.1 or 2.7 per cent higher at 7,033.8.

Amsterdam saw a number of strong share movements but volume was moderate at best. Akzo Nobel and ING rose more than 4 per cent and the AEX index ended up 19.46 at 1,095.68.

Heineken remained indecisive ahead of Friday's interim results statement.