Shares in Frankfurt traded slightly stronger with any real buying interest held back by Wall Street's drop on Friday and by the lack of any market making news.

The main excitement was in the M-DAX index of mid sized German shares which were driven to record all time highs after the index finally broke record levels.

Paris CAC-40: 2,500.26 (-7.29)

The Paris Bourse remained firm for most of the day but then eased following the release of US economic data. French government spokesman Mr Alain Lamassourre said. "All growth engines (in France) will be turned on in the spring. The economy's new vigour is obvious, and its beneficial effects in cutting unemployment will be felt in the second half of the year.

Milan MIBTEL: 11,909 (+164)

The Milan market enjoyed a technical rebound after the 1.24 per cent drop on Friday, with share volumes strong at 1.05 trillion lira Fiat jumped by 4.43 per cent to 5.425 lira, while Ifi, which controls Ifil holding company, which in turn is the Fiat parent company, gained 4.26 per cent.