FX.co ★ DAX Pushes to Fresh Highs

On Friday afternoon, the DAX index in Frankfurt surged to approximately 25,270, reaching new heights as investors analyzed the latest U.S. employment report while keeping an eye on geopolitical issues and an anticipated Supreme Court decision regarding tariffs. The U.S. labor market in December exhibited signs of moderation, as job hiring decelerated despite a decrease in the unemployment rate. This development tempered expectations for a potential interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve in its upcoming meeting later this month. Domestically in Germany, industrial production unexpectedly increased in November, marking three consecutive months of growth; however, exports experienced a decline. Volkswagen was a standout performer, advancing by 3.4%, followed by SAP with a 3.1% gain, and both Scout24 and Henkel AG & Co rising by 2.1%. Fresenius Medical Care saw a 2% increase after announcing the continuation of its €1 billion share buyback program. On the downside, insurers such as Allianz (-2%), Hannover Re (-1.3%), and Munich Re (-0.9%) faced pressure due to a challenging industry environment highlighted by Morgan Stanley. For the week, the DAX index likely rose by approximately 3%.