The German benchmark index, the DAX, experienced a fluctuating trading session on Friday, initially showing a positive start before retreating to levels seen the previous day by midday. Around 12:30 PM, the index was calculated at approximately 24,390 points, a marginal 0.1 percent increase from Thursday’s closing level.
Market analyst Andreas Lipkow attributed the volatility to investor uncertainty surrounding the ongoing trade dispute between the United States and the European Union. “Investors are currently pulling in different directions, hoping for a diplomatic resolution to the tariffs disagreement” he stated. He also noted that robust macroeconomic data released from the United States were fueling optimism for continued market gains.
However, Lipkow cautioned that current valuations in the U.S. stock market remain relatively high and that a degree of optimism, particularly within the technology sector, may already be factored in. “It will be interesting to see if the upcoming weekend again throws everything into disarray and whether market participants will have to grapple with new statements from the U.S. administration on Monday” he added.
The euro strengthened against the U.S. dollar on Friday afternoon, trading at $1.1635, with the dollar subsequently valued at €0.8595.
