Frankfurt DAX: 5341.69 (+84.11)

German shares ended substantially better, pulled higher by a firmer dollar, gains on Wall Street, and led by futures activity. Dealers say the market was still lacking fresh news to sustain the rise but the DAX could test new highs this week.

Paris CAC-40: 4017.24 (+110.88)

The CAC 40 index hit 4,000 points yesterday afternoon on the Paris Bourse for the first time and closed at the highest level it has reached, up a sharp 2.84 per cent by comparison with the Friday close. On April 7th, the indicator reached its previous record high of 3,992.20 points during the session.

Milan Mibtel: 24,659 (+644)

The Milan bourse extended its gains in thin afternoon trade to close almost three per cent higher, buoyed by gains on Wall Street and other European exchanges. Dealers said the market was generally more optimistic as fears of interest rate rises in the US and Germany faded. "The market is going very well but trade is limited," said one dealer.