Frankfurt DAX: 3,329.76 (+16.88)

German shares were off the day's highs and below the IBIS DAX highs on Monday as the market took a pause for breath yesterday after surging 3 per cent.

Traders said they were waiting for the market to consolidate before pushing prices higher. There was no impetus for further progress despite the dollar's climb above 1.71 deutschmarks, which was good news for exporters.

Paris CAC-40: 2,579 (+6.69)

French shares, drawing support from dollar strength, limped to a higher close. But traders said the market lacked volume to make a convincing advance.

"There's very little interest in the market," said one broker, who added that the futures pit had much of the action.

Milan Mibtel: 11,920 (-12)

Italian shares were largely steady as they shook off domestic political concerns facing Italy's centre-left government and a lower early trend on Wall Street. The government faces a vote of confidence over sending a multi-national force to Albania.