Paris CAC: 1966 (+13.9)

The Paris Bourse was hesitant at the outset yesterday, but then settled into a rising trend later in the day as foreign investors bought, finding French shares attractive despite the French economy's lack of steam.

The CAC 40 index closed at 1,966 points, up 0.71 per cent by comparison with the Tuesday finish. Volume was on the active side at 5.5 billion francs.

Frankfurt Dax: 2371.1(-5.57)

Prices slipped on the Frankfurt stock market as investors took profits following record high closings on Monday and again on Tuesday, traders said. The DAX index fell by 0.23 per cent on the day to end at 2,371.30 points. The bond market also moved down, and the average yield on government issues rose by 0.01 per cent to 5.23 per cent.

Milan Mibtel: 9344 (+20)

Milan shares ended the January account with small gains, but there was little enthusiasm to push prices strongly ahead.