Frankfurt DAX: 3418.12 (+68.98)

German shares rose strongly in late trading as speculation in the banking sector fueled increased interest in financial stocks. Trading was also boosted by better than expected results from Daimler Benz, with DAX futures moving ahead and the US dollar rising to 1.692 deutschmarks after the Federal Reserve move to increase rates.

Paris CAC-40: 2,648.73 (+24.48)

French shares finished higher yesterday on the rise of the dollar, following a widely anticipated quarter point increase by the Federal Reserve of US interest rates. Electrical equipment supplier Schneider rose stringly on better than expected annual results.

Milan Mibtel: 11,973 (+152)

Italian stocks got off to a firm start with the US interest rate rise and were buttressed by a lira and bond futures after the Rome government received support from his coalition partners for its mini budget.