Around the World's Markets: Paris

CONTINUING FIGHTING in Kosovo weakened European stock markets and the Eurotop 300 share index fell 0.47 per cent. In Paris the CAC-40 index closed 0.42 per cent lower at 4,349.26 in spite of fresh strength on Wall Street.

Banks in the bidding war fell sharply in the continuing absence of a counter-bid. Societe Generale fell almost 3 per cent to 162.7 euros, BNP was more than 2 per cent lower at 74.80 and Paribas closed more than 3 per cent down at 95.50.