DAX dips as German Manufacturing PMI drops in August

The DAX index has posted slight losses in the Monday session. Currently, the index is at 12,319, down 0.36% on the day. On the release front, eurozone and German Final Manufacturing PMIs both weakened in August, but were within expectations. On Tuesday, the eurozone releases PPI.

Eurozone and German manufacturing PMIs are still pointing to expansion, but there is concern in the markets as the downward trend continued in August. This was particularly evident in Eurozone Final Manufacturing PMI, which lost ground for an eighth straight month. The reading of 54.6, which matched the estimate, marked the lowest level since November 2016. In Germany, Final Manufacturing PMI fell from 56.9 to 55.9. Although this is a respectable reading, it is significantly lower than the readings we saw early in 2018, when the indicator was above the 60-level. German manufacturers remain generally optimistic, but have growing concerns over tariffs which the U.S has slapped on China and the EU.

Will the trade war between the U.S and China continue to escalate? So far, the two economic giants have imposed $50 billion in tariffs on each other, and President Trump has threatened further tariffs worth some $200 billion, which could be imposed as early as this week. The U.S could elect to impose the tariffs in smaller bites, such as a $50 billion tariff. With the U.S economy booming, there is little pressure on the Trump administration to shy away from imposing further tariffs. The current trade spat has already seen the U.S dollar gain ground against rivals such as the euro, and further tariffs could boost the U.S dollar.

A jittery start to the month of September

When central banks and the political worlds collide

Economic Calendar

Monday (September 3)

• 3:55 German Final Manufacturing PMI. Estimate 56.1. Actual 55.9
• 4:00 Eurozone Final Manufacturing PMI. Estimate 54.6. Actual 54.6
• 13:15 German Buba President Weidmann Speaks

Tuesday (September 4)

• 5:00 Eurozone PPI. Estimate 0.3%

*All release times are DST

*Key events are in bold

DAX, Monday, September 3 at 8:40 DST

Previous Close: 12,364 Open: 12,327 Low: 12,309 High: 12,359 Close: 12,319

Content 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 Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please access the RSS feed or contact us at info@marketpulse.com. Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets. © 2023 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.