Paris Cac-40: 2315.73 (-2.9)

The French market ended what had been a strong year with a slight decline, following recent news of a rise in French unemployment and some uncertainty about prospects for 1997.

In early December, the stock market was even, almost back to its all time record high reached on February 2nd, 1994, but then eased a bit before the end of the year.

Still, the evening of December 31st, 1996, the Bourse's CAC-40 index, which continuously takes the market's pulse, stood at 2,315.73 points up by 23.71 per cent in a year.

In 1989, the market climbed by 27.1 per cent, while in 1995 it managed only a tiny 0.5 per cent in the wake of a 17.1 per cent plunge in 1994.

Milan Mibtel: 10571 (-21)

Italian stocks slipped back, reversing the gains of the previous day's trading when Fiat had gained on government hints of support measures for the car industry.

Frankfurt - The market was closed on New Year's eve.