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AHSAN*NINTH

French equities

sharply higher

PARIS: French shares ended sharply higher and the April future broke resistance to trade above 2,100. The market had been well oriented most of the day on the back of a firmer franc and gains on Wall Street.

CAC-40 index closed up 16.78, or 0.81 percent, at 2,097.32.

CAC-40 April futures 2,102 vs 2,080 at Monday's close.

Of CAC-40 stocks, 29 higher, 11 lower.

Broader SBF 120 index closed up 9.62 at 1,463.29.

Volume was 5.65 billion francs.

Buoygues (-1/512) telecom unit to start is mobile services on May 29.

Michelin (+4.70/249.70) up on back of rosy Q1 forecast by US rival Goodyear.

Clarins (+27/647) hit year high at 657 on higher 1995 results, forecast for a further rise in 1996, and one-for-eight bonus share issue.

Lyonnaise des Eaux (+7/506) firm after presnetations to investors.

Brokerage Cheuvreux de Virieu adds Eramet (+24.60/390) to its list of favoured second-tier stocks and drops Primagaz (-30/548), traders say.-Reuter