German shares closed floor trade strongly ahead yesterday after a helpful close on Wall Street, a stronger dollar and firmer German debt gave the stock market a welcome boost. The expiry of options on the German futures and options exchange on Friday also boosted sentiment, dealers said.

Paris CAC-40 2097.63 (+13.45)

French stocks finished higher yesterday as a takeover bid for Docks de France triggered a rally in other retail shares. Traders said the bourse came off its highs after the dollar's advance stalled ahead of a Group of Seven summit this week in France.

Milan Mibtel 10533 (-140)

Italian shares ended sharply lower, depressed after the Bank of Italy failed to cut interest rates late last week after a dip in inflation data and as many shares went ex-dividend.

Dealers said that investors were disappointed after the central bank failed to ease monetary policy late on Friday following lower preliminary June CPI data.