The Frankfurt stock market posted a tiny gain as the DAX index finished just 0.03 per cent higher. Dealers said trading was lacklustre and volume was light ahead of the holiday weekend. Sentiment was dampened by weak domestic debt markets and futures prices.

CAC-40 2,074.96 (+10.96)

The Paris Bourse rose to a closing high for the year so far as the index rose 0.53 per cent. Share volume was on the high side at 5.7 billion francs.

Traders said the impending four day weekend did not discourage investors, who did substantial buying on a market considered undervalued by foreigners. Bond weakness and worries about the release of key monthly US jobs data today were ignored.

Mibtel 9,463 (+ 148)

Italian shares rebounded on short covering ahead of the Easter weekend and reflecting the firmer trend to domestic bonds and the lira. The market is open today, but with most other European markets closed dealers reported short covering ahead of the long weekend.