European shares see-sawed on Tuesday before ending marginally higher as investors struggled to find direction, with gains in banks and commodities offsetting a poor day for carmakers and pharmaceuticals.

“There was some profit-taking after a very good day [on Monday], but investors are still watching the US and waiting to see the details of economic plans being laid out by President-elect Obama and his new team,” said Thierry Lacraz, strategist at Pictet & Cie.