At the close of the week the DAX slipped. The index finished the Xetra trading day at 23,447 points, a decline of 0.6 % compared with the previous day’s close. After a weak start, the DAX lifted into the positive zone until early afternoon, only to slip back into the red in the late session.
“Investors worldwide remain drawn to news of the Iran conflict and its impact on energy prices” said Andreas Lipkow, chief market analyst at CMC Markets. “The flight to safe havens continues, weighing on the euro and amplifying inflation concerns in the euro area, since commodities are priced in US dollars and become even more expensive on the weak euro”. Lipkow added that the wholesale price data published today for Germany already showed inflation above expectations, hinting at further pressure on consumers.
The DAX tries to stabilize further. “A bit more optimism about US interest‑rate cuts could help. Durable‑goods orders and GDP growth in February both fell well below expectations” Lipkow noted. “That signals a slowdown that is already apparent and gives the US Federal Reserve more room. A Middle‑East war could accelerate these cooling trends”.
Just before market close, Zalando was the top‑gaining stock in Frankfurt, while Siemens Energy’s shares lagged at the bottom of the list.
Gas prices edged lower. One megawatt‑hour of April gas delivery cost €51, implying a consumer price of roughly 10-12 cents per kWh including taxes and ancillary charges if the level remains stable.
Oil, by contrast, rose further. A barrel of North Sea Brent was priced at $102.00 in the German afternoon session on Friday, up 1.5 % from the close of the previous trading day.
The euro weakened on Friday afternoon. One euro fetched $1.1441, meaning one US dollar was worth €0.8740.
