Disappointing US economic data sent German shares into a surprise late tumble yesterday. The fall came after stronger-than-expected US first-quarter GDP data. Lower-than-expected weekly jobless numbers also sent bunds into a slide, dragging first DAX futures and then the cash market in their wake.There was little reaction to the Bundesbank's decision to leave interest rates unchanged, as had been expected.

CAC 40: 2,136.80 (-9.99)

The US figures also affected French shares, pulling the market down from record high levels earlier in the day. French shares have been posting gains over the past few weeks as Paris finally staged a catch-up with other stock markets after having lagged for many months.

MIB: 10,568 (+18)

Italian shares managed a small advance in fairly quiet trading. Dealers said that trading volumes were around one billion lire.