German shares ended generally lower with a helpful opening on Wall Street and the ongoing strength of the dollar failing to lend support to the moribund market. Dealers bemoaned a lack of major market moving factors but said there was speculation the Bundesbank might ease its third key interest rate, the repo, fixed at 3.30 per cent since February, when it meets today.

CAC 40 2117.10 (-15.80)

The Paris bourse scored an initial advance, but the up trend was torpedoed by profit taking during the session, traders said after the close. Operators said that financial and business circles were hoping for some further reductions in short term interest rates in view of the lethargic state of the economy. They are fairly optimistic about the bourse itself, in the light of expected industrial and financial restructuring operations.

Milan Mibtel 10733 (+108)

The Milan stock market notched up a solid gain, partly thanks to the stronger lira.