The DAX recorded a gain as the market concluded the week. The index closed on the Xetra trading platform at 26,570 points, representing an increase of 0.8% compared to the previous day’s close. After a positive start, the DAX initially held its level before seeing a strong surge in the afternoon, reaching a new record high of approximately 26,619 points at 4:57 PM.
Commentating on the market, Andreas Lipkow, Chief Market Analyst at CMC Markets, noted that although negotiations are active between the US and Iran, the situation remains extremely fragile. He added that the issue of punitive tariffs, which US President Trump has recently brought back to the agenda, could also evolve toward Europe, potentially affecting observers in Brussels and Berlin and shaking the stock exchanges. According to the analyst, the upcoming trading week will generally be quieter, though far from dull. He stressed that with the central bank meetings scheduled for September, macroeconomic data-such as the official labor market report released on Friday-will regain greater focus.
In terms of individual equities, shares of BMW, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz led the performance rankings just before the market closed. On the downside, Fresenius, FMC, and Rheinmetall finished at the bottom of the list.
In energy markets, gas prices dropped. A megawatt-hour (MWh) of gas for October delivery cost 67 euros, a two percent decrease from the day before. Should this price level remain stable, this implies a consumer price of at least around 11 to 14 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), including taxes and ancillary costs.
The price of oil also fell. A North Sea-grade Brent barrel was valued at $89.45 during Friday afternoon trading around 5 PM Central European Time, a reduction of 25 cents, or 0.3 percent, from the previous day’s close. Finally, the European currency weakened on Friday afternoon; the Euro cost 1.1604 US dollars, meaning the dollar was worth 0.8618 euros.
