The DAX index is unchanged on Tuesday, after a quiet start to the week. Currently, the DAX is at 12,328, down 0.03% on the day. In economic news, it’s a busy day. German GfK consumer climate remained pegged at 10.4, just above the forecast of 10.3 points. Investors will be keeping a keen eye on German CPI, with an estimate of 0.5%, and eurozone Flash GDP, which is expected to rise slightly to 0.3%.
On the employment front, there were solid April numbers out of Germany and the eurozone. German unemployment change came in at -12 thousand, beating the estimate of -6 thousand. In the eurozone, the unemployment rate dropped to 7.7%, its lowest level since 2008. There was more positive news out of Spain, the eurozone’s fourth-largest economy. The economy grew by 0.7% in Q1, unchanged from the previous quarter. Inflation improved to 1.5% in April, marking a 5-month high.
Is a U.S-China trade deal imminent? Negotiations will continue on April 30, in Beijing, and U.S. Treasury Secretary Mnuchin waxed positive on Sunday, saying that the talks were in their “final laps”. However, Mnuchin cautioned that the talks could still end without an agreement. The nasty trade war between the two largest economies in the world has rocked the global economy and curbed growth. If the sides can hammer out an agreement, investor risk appetite would likely soar and boost equity markets.
