DAX Surges After Chinese President Offers Olive Branch

European markets are higher in the Tuesday session. Currently, the DAX is trading at 12,397 points, up 1.10% on the day. The CAC is also higher, posting gains of 0.69% on the day. On the release front, there are no German or eurozone indicators on the schedule. On Wednesday, ECB President Mario Draghi speaks at an event in Frankfurt. As well, the Federal Reserve will publish the minutes of its March rate meeting.

After weeks of escalating rhetoric in the trade battle between the US and China, there is a lull in the action, and the markets have reacted positively. On Sunday, US officials sought to lower the temperature on the Sunday television programs, and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said that he doesn’t “expect there will be a trade war.” This was followed by a calm message from Chinese President Xi Jimping on Tuesday. Xi was speaking at a development conference in China, and promised to lower tariffs on vehicle imports into China. This has been a major sticking point between the US and China, with President Trump complaining that China has a 25% tariff on US vehicle imports, yet the US only charges 2.5% on Chinese vehicles. Although China has previously declared that it would reduce the tariffs on vehicles, the markets were looking for some positive news, as the trade battle between the two largest economies in the world has shaken the markets in recent weeks. Xi added that China was looking to solve issues through dialogue rather than confrontation, and the markets are hoping that the US and China can avert a trade war, which could drag down the global economy.

German industrial numbers disappointed last week. Factory Orders posted a weak gain of 0.3%, well off the forecast of 1.6%. On Friday, Industrial Production declined 1.6%, compared to an estimate of 0.2%. This marked the fifth decline in the past six months. Earlier in the week, German Manufacturing PMI softened to 58.2, missing the estimate of 58.4. Although the reading indicated expansion, there is cause for concern as it marked an 8-month low.

Xi Jinping Announces Plans to Further Open China’s Economy

Economic Fundamentals

 Tuesday (April 10)

  • There are no German or eurozone indicators

 Wednesday (April 11)

  • Tentative – German 30-year Bond Auction
  • 7:00 ECB President Mario Draghi Speaks
  • 14:00 US FOMC Meeting Minutes

*All release times are DST

*Key events are in bold

 

DAX, Tuesday, April 10 at 6:40 EDT

Prev. Close: 12,261 Open: 12,396 Low: 12,349 High: 12,428 Close: 12,397

This article is for general information purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solution to buy or sell securities. Opinions are the authors; not necessarily that of OANDA Corporation or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. Leveraged trading is high risk and not suitable for all. You could lose all of your deposited funds.

Kenny Fisher

Kenny Fisher

Market Analyst at OANDA
A highly experienced financial market analyst with a focus on fundamental and macroeconomic analysis, Kenny Fisher’s daily commentary covers a broad range of markets including forex, equities and commodities. His work has been published in major online financial publications including Investing.com, Seeking Alpha and FXStreet. Kenny has been a MarketPulse contributor since 2012.
Kenny Fisher

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