The DAX index has moved higher in the Wednesday session. Currently, the index is at 10,806, up 0.28% on the day. In economic news, it’s a light day. The sole indicator was German PPI, which dipped to 0.1% in November, above the estimate of -0.1%. This was its weakest gain since February. The markets are expecting the Federal Reserve to raise rate hikes by a quarter-point, to a range between 2.25 and 2.50 percent.
After plunging more than 6% in the first week of December, the DAX has steadied. Still, investors remain nervous, with global markets showing sharp volatility. In the U.S., the S&P 500 Index sank to its lowest level since October 2017. One factor which has weighed on the markets is the row over the Italian budget, which the EU said was in breach of its financial requirements. There was good news on Wednesday, after reports that Italy and the EU had reached a deal, whereby Italy would lower its deficit target to 2.04%, down from its original target of 2.4%. For weeks, Italy and the EU had appeared to be on a collision course, with the EU threatening unprecedented sanctions against the Italian government.
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to raise rates on Thursday, even though rate hikes are unusual when stock markets are in a downward spiral. The Fed may “compensate” the markets and try to soothe nervous investors by sending out a cautious message about further tightening next year. Such a move would likely boost global stock markets, which posted sharp losses in early December, after hawkish remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Investors will be combing through the rate statement, which should be considered a market-mover.
