Around the World's Markets: Frankfurt

SHARES OPENED lower in Frankfurt in line with the overnight falls on Wall Street, and trading was subdued ahead of the Easter holiday. But a late rally inspired by merger talk on Wall Street reversed early losses and pushed the Xetra Dax index up 0.75 per cent to 4,901.81 at the close.

Shares in Mannesman jumped by 6 per cent after a strong buy recommendation from Morgan Stanley Dean Witter.