The DAX slipped as the week drew to a close. At the Xetra closing bell it stood at 23 447 points, a drop of 0.6 % from the previous day’s close. After a weak start the index turned positive early in the afternoon, only to slip again in the late afternoon.
Analyst Andreas Lipkow of CMC Markets said that investors worldwide remain caught up in the fallout from the war in Iran and its impact on energy prices. “The pursuit of safe‑haven assets continues, and this also weighs on the euro” he explained. “The weak Euro further inflates the already costly US‑Dollar denominated commodities, amplifying inflationary pressures in the eurozone”. Lipkow noted that the German wholesale price inflation released today exceeded expectations, hinting at what consumers may face next.
Lipkow also suggested that the DAX may find additional support if the United States adopts more dovish monetary policy. “Durable goods orders and GDP growth came in February well below expectations” he said, indicating early signs of an economic slowdown that gives the Federal Reserve more room to manoeuvre. The renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could accelerate these cooling trends.
In Frankfurt, Zalando shares topped the trading list just before market close, while Siemens Energy’s stock lagged at the bottom.
Gas prices edged lower: one megawatt‑hour (MWh) of April‑delivery gas cost €51. This translates to a consumer price of roughly 10 to 12 cents per kilowatt‑hour (kWh), including ancillary charges and taxes, assuming the level persists.
Oil prices, on the other hand, rose. Brent crude fetched $102.00 per barrel at about 5 p.m. German time on Friday-a 1.5 % gain over the previous day’s closing level.
Meanwhile, the euro weakened in the afternoon session: €1 matched $1.1441, meaning $1 was worth €0.8740.