DAX Gains Ground as Dollar Under Pressure

The DAX index has posted considerable gains in the Friday session. Currently, the index is trading at 12,418.30, up 0.58% since the Wednesday close. On the release front, the sole release was the German Wholesale Price Index, which rebounded with a strong gain of 0.9%, crushing the estimate of 0.2%.

It’s been a dismal February for the DAX, which has shed 6.1%. However, the index has steadied, and appears headed towards its first winning week since January. The catalyst for the turnaround after the recent sell-off is strong corporate earnings in Europe. European stock markets have taken their cue from US markets, which have posted gains this week at the expense of the weaker US dollar.

The recent stock market turbulence has triggered volatility in the currency markets, and this is causing concern at the ECB. Last week, ECB President Mario Draghi said that he is more confident that eurozone inflation is moving closer to the Bank’s target of just below 2 percent, due to improving economic growth. However, Draghi listed currency market volatility as an obstacle to the inflation target, and added that the ECB would carefully monitor the euro’s exchange rates. The ECB tapered its massive stimulus program from EUR 60 billion to 30 billion/mth in January, and the markets are on the lookout for hints as to whether the ECB will normalize policy and wind up stimulus in September.

Economic Calendar

Friday (February 16)

• 2:00 German WPI. Estimate 0.2%. Actual 0.9%

*All release times are EST

*Key events are in bold

DAX, Friday, February 16 at 6:10 EDT

Open: 12,408.29 High: 12,483.50 Low: 12,368.00 Close: 12,418.30

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