Frankfurt DAX: 4,170.08 (+30.28)

German shares clocked up safe gains by the close after shedding nearly 1 per cent on stronger-than-expected US November jobs numbers.

Paris CAC-40: 2,910.09 (-4.36)

Shares ended down but well off their lows after the market briefly took fright at data showing a strong US labour market. But sentiment was later soothed by thoughts that the Asian crisis may delay the Fed tightening that robust growth could provoke.

Milan Mibtel: 15,754 (+21)

Italian shares closed little changed, bouncing back from the day's lows after US stocks moved higher on Wall Street. Italian stock and bond prices continue to be underpinned by hopes of a Bank of Italy rate cut, dealers said.