Frankfurt Dax: 4,193.69 (-8.68)
German shares ended lower yesterday as worries about a possible near-term US rate rise triggered an early tumble on Wall Street. Fears the Federal Reserve may push up rates surfaced following the release of stronger-than-expected US retail sales figures.
The spectre of higher US rates as well as slower earnings growth in a key industrial sector unsettled major European bourses. Paris CAC: 2,992.16 (-13.38)
French stocks fell, as the bourse pursued its recent consolidation, but the market was pulled off its lows by a sharp rise in L'Oreal shares. L'Oreal jumped 7.02 per cent to 2,408 francs, bolstered by a large buy order carried out by HSBC James Capel.
Milan Mibtel: 15,988 (-51)
Italian shares closed mostly lower as investors took profits after the sense of relief at the revival of Mr Prodi's government started to wear off.
Sentiment in the afternoon was slightly dampened by expectations of a weak Wall Street opening but the bourse took heart as US stocks came off the lows.
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