FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - Ahead of U.S. labor market data, the DAX showed little movement on Friday. The index remained firmly above the 25,000-point mark, trading barely changed at 25,135 points just minutes after the Xetra opening. This positions Germany's leading index for a significant gain in the first trading week of the new year. The record high, which was raised further the previous day, now stands at just over 25,217 points.
The MDAX of mid-cap stocks climbed 0.13 percent to 32,126 points on Friday morning, reaching its highest level since early 2022. The EuroStoxx 50, the eurozone's leading index, gained half a percent.
Signs are increasing that the crisis in German industry may be coming to an end. In November, production in the manufacturing sector unexpectedly rose again, thanks to strong gains in the automotive industry. The previous day had already seen a positive surprise in industrial orders. Investors seem to be partially vindicated in their assumption that Germany has passed through the economic trough, commented market expert Andreas Lipkow.
Overall, sentiment on the stock markets remains positive, even though the geopolitical situation has continued to intensify at the start of the new year. U.S. President Donald Trump's policies are once again making headlines, while protests in Iran are escalating. However, the main focus ahead of the weekend is the U.S. jobs report, which holds particular significance for the monetary policy of the U.S. Federal Reserve./ajx/jha/
