Long-term direction still unclear

Frankfurt DAX: 3,916.53 (+67.30)

German blue-chip shares finished floor trade stronger, pulled higher by overnight gains on Wall Street and an improved performance on Asian markets.

Dealers said that despite support from US and Asian markets and a stronger dollar, firmness in German shares was seen largely as a technical bounce with long-term direction still unclear.

Paris CAC-40: 2,811.65 (+25.39)

French shares closed higher, cheered by a stronger dollar and Tokyo's rebound overnight.

Traders said the Paris market was also buoyed by a Paribas offer to buy out its Cetelem and Cie Bancaire units, which operators believe could precipitate an expected restructuring in France's banking sector.

Milan Mibtel: 15,307 (+161)

Italian stocks closed higher, lifted by expectations of a rate cut by the Bank of Italy some time before year's end, as well as favourable domestic macroeconomic conditions generally.

Turnover was 1.4 trillion lire, higher than the one trillion lire turnover on Tuesday.