Around the World's Markets: Frankfurt

SHARES EDGED up in improving investor sentiment. The electronic Xetra DAX ended up 2.96 points - 0.06 per cent - at 5,189.72. The floor DAX closed flat at 5,181.01.

Telecoms shares tumbled on news of falling first-quarter sales at Deutsche Telekom. "The telecoms sector is disappointing with its numbers," an analyst said. However, growing confidence over the economic outlook after last week's surprise European interest-rate cut helped most cyclical stocks to close higher.