Around the World's Markets: Paris

FRENCH SHARES ended at a new record close, erasing the day's losses as the Dow's advance gained momentum and investors shrugged off the news that Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the Finance Minister, had resigned over a corruption case in which he protests his innocence. The CAC-40 closed up 0.2 per cent at 4,898.5.

Analysts said the loss of a favourite political figure and free-market advocate would have been a much harsher blow before the launch of the euro zone.