Frankfurt DAX: 3184.09 (-11.84)

The Frankfurt bourse ended floor trading 11.894 points down at 3184.09 on the DAX index of leading shares after trading around one hundred points off its recent record highs.

But dealers said the pause was probably only a breather before another rally next week.

Paris CAC-40: 2562.84 (-12.40)

In Paris, almost every stock in the CAC-40 leading share index turned downwards in early trade but the market regained some poise and was down only a few points by mid-afternoon.

Milan Mibtel: 12356 (-1)

Italian shares drifted downwards but closed above the session lows after a morning rally on the back of favourably February inflation figures petered out.