Around the World's Markets: Frankfurt

GERMAN shares edged up as retail companies benefited from a focus by investors on cheaper stocks. The DAX-30 closed 0.34 per cent higher at 5,224.16 points.

"It's a reaction to Monday's 2 per cent fall," one trader said. "In the medium term it will tend lower. The euro seems bullish and that's bad for the market, especially for exports."

Metro, Europe's largest retailer, was a leading gainer with a 2.68 per cent rise as the European summer sales opened.