DAX slightly slowed after record run, but investor sentiment remains positive

The DAX's recent success streak remained unbroken during the start of the shortened trading week, albeit with moderated dynamics. After another surge to a record high of 18,238 points, the leading German stock index levelled off at a moderate increase of 0.08 percent to 18,220 points by the afternoon. The stock market is taking a short break this week, closing its doors on Maundy Thursday, with Good Friday pausing the stock trading. A robust US economy coupled with hopes of falling interest rates continue to lay the foundation for the current stock market bull run. "Stock owners are clinging to their possessions while non-owners are increasingly feeling the pressure to join the fast-moving stock market train, which in turn boosts prices," notes capital market strategist Jürgen Molnar from the broker RoboMarkets. However, this trend could soon experience a short respite in the form of profit-taking, according to the expert's forecast. Rheinmetall and Hensoldt, both companies in the defense sector, reached new highs in light of the tense global security situation. Hensoldt climbed to the top with a share price of 41.50 euros, while Rheinmetall impressively rose to an all-time high of 520.40 euros during the early trading hours. The positive sentiment also spread to Heidelberg Materials, which surpassed 100 euros in share value for the first time since 2008 following a positive evaluation by Deutsche Bank, with the shares appreciating by 1.7 percent at the top. On the other hand, Ströer failed to meet investors' expectations. The announcement to maintain the dividend at last year's level was followed by a nearly three percent drop in the share price. Lab service provider Synlab also attracted interest with current business figures. However, the outlook for the year 2024 fell slightly short of market expectations. Currently, attention is focused on the upcoming takeover by the financial investor Cinven. As a result, Synlab's share price dropped by 1.9 percent. Lastly, the euro was traded somewhat weaker against the US dollar, with a rate of 1.0831 US dollars in the afternoon, after the European Central Bank (ECB) had set the reference rate shortly before the weekend at 1.0823 dollars.