at Xetra’s market close the index sat at 22,380 points, a 2..0 % drop from the previous day. Over the entire week the benchmark German market gauge lost 4.5 % of its value.
Energy prices were comparatively moderate on Friday. Gas for April delivery fell by about five percent before the weekend, and oil was only roughly one percent higher than the day before, so the sharp decline in the DAX was driven by factors deeper than the energy market.
A key element is the “Hexensabbat” or option‑expiry day, when many options and futures contracts expire. Some investors with the means try to steer prices on that day, while many others lose interest when their positions vanish overnight. The slide that began at the start of U.S. trading further amplified the losses.
Individual stocks reflected widespread declines across sectors. The biggest losers were software giant SAP, energy supplier E.ON, and engine manufacturer MTU. In contrast, Heidelberg Materials, Brenntag, and Infineon posted gains.
On Friday afternoon the euro weakened slightly: one euro traded at USD 1.1556, meaning one U.S. dollar was worth €0.8654.