Dax: 2,548.84 (-7.8)

German shares ended trade lower yesterday, after stronger-than-expected US GDP figures prompted fears on the German market that the Federal Reserve was planning to raise interest rates.

Industrial conglomerate Daimler Benz AG's first-half earnings news conference at midday was the main focus of the day. A rush of interest in the run-up to the results sent Daimler stock as high as 81.80 deutschmarks, but the shares weakened after the earnings data were released and ended the bourse session down two pfennigs at 81.30.

CAC 40: 1,977.50 (-25.34)

French stocks fell for the fourth day in a row yesterday as the franc's weakness and fears of industrial unrest discouraged investors.

A cut in interest rates is not expected by the end of the year.

Mibtel: 1021 (-5)

Italian stocks had a mixed performance, being mainly dragged lower by weaker blue chips stocks, including Fiat and Generali and the telecoms sector.