Frankfurt DAX: 2,510.77 (-27.57)

The Frankfurt stock market suffered a substantial setback yesterday as the market reacted nervously to the US missile attack on Iraq and ahead of the release of US statistics, traders said.

"The attack pulled the market down," said one Commerezbank broker. The market feared higher oil prices with the negative effects on inflation that would imply, he said.

Paris CAC-40: 1,971.43 (-5.55)

French stocks fell yesterday but finished well above the session lows as reassuring US data offset some of the nervousness triggered by the US missile attack on Iraq.

Brokers said the strength of the oil shares also helped shore up the bourse.

Milan Mibtel: 9,335 (-98)

Italian shares closed lower last night in line with many other world share markets weighed down by a host of depressing factors with worried eyes again focusing on troubled Olivetti. Its shares were almost in freefall, dealers said.