FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - Ahead of the European Central Bank (ECB) interest rate decision and inflation data from the United States, the Dax remained below the 24,000-point mark after the Xetra opening on Thursday. Most recently, the leading index was quoted down 0.05 percent at 23,948 points. The MDax of mid-cap stocks slipped 0.24 percent to 29,794 points. The EuroStoxx 50, the benchmark index for the eurozone, was just above the flat line.
"What began last Friday with initial profit-taking is continuing seamlessly into the current trading week," wrote Frank Sohlleder, analyst at broker ActivTrades. Investors are cashing in the profits they made during the strong stock market year of 2025. A resurgence of Dax bulls is becoming increasingly difficult, as tailwinds from Wall Street are missing.
The ECB is expected to keep key interest rates stable once again this afternoon. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg unanimously expect no change in eurozone rates. The deposit rate, which is crucial for the market, stands at two percent.
With the US inflation data for November also due this afternoon, Helaba does not anticipate an acceleration of interest rate cut expectations. The Landesbank's economists say there is unlikely to have been much change in the inflation rate, which was recently around three percent./ajx/stk
