Around the World's Markets: Frankfurt

GERMAN STOCKS fell as gloomy trading figures from BMW dragged down the automotive sector. The DAX-30 fell 0.83 per cent to 5401.47.

BMW, Germany's third-largest carmaker, dropped almost 4 per cent after it said sales of Rover, its UK subsidiary, fell 29 per cent in the first nine months of the financial year. BMW's chief executive Joachim Milberg also reiterated his desire to remain independent, playing down speculation the company was a takeover candidate for rival VW.