Around two weeks after the military escalation in the Middle East, the situation on the stock markets on both sides of the Atlantic remains tense. The markets are currently navigating as if in a fog. The direction is unclear, the risks remain high. The fear that any further escalation could push the oil price up further and fuel fears of recession remains present. Concerns about an economic slowdown continue to dominate share prices.
The upcoming meeting of the US Federal Reserve next week could also cast its shadow.
DAX
German consumer prices for February fall below 2.0 percent
New data on German inflation was published on Wednesday. According to the Federal Statistical Office (DeStatis), inflation in February 2026 was 1.9%, compared to 2.1% in January (compared to the same month last year).
„The rise in consumer prices weakened slightly in February,“ said Ruth Brand (President of the Federal Statistical Office).
„Food inflation in particular has fallen significantly and had a dampening effect on prices, while services continued to increase the inflation rate."
US inflation remains at 2.4 percent - core inflation rate at 2.5 percent
There were no major surprises from US consumer prices, which were as high as expected at 2.4% and thus at the same level as the previous month (compared to February 2025). The core inflation rate rose by 2.5% in the same period, which was also unchanged.
Numerous US economic data expected today - US Federal Reserve meeting likely to cast its shadow ahead
Friday afternoon is consequently still full of potentially important US economic data. The core rate for personal consumption expenditures, the US GDP growth rate (second estimate) and new orders for durable goods (13:30) are expected.
The trading week is rounded off by the „JOLTs“ (Jop Openings and Labor Turnover Survey) and preliminary data on consumer sentiment from the University of Michigan (15:00).
Next Wednesday, the US monetary authority will decide on the future key interest rate level. However, investors are not currently hoping for a rate cut. According to the CME Group's „Fed Watch Tool“, only 0.8% of market participants expect a rate cut of a quarter of a percentage point. Interest rates are currently between 3.50 and 3.75 percent.
Zalando share: use of AI provides tailwind
Online fashion retailer Zalando (ISIN: DE000ZAL1111), for example, presented its figures on Thursday.
In 2025, Group sales rose by almost 17% to 12.3 billion euros.
The increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) had given fashion retailer Zalando a boost.
„We can provide our customers and partners with offers that were unthinkable until recently,“ said Robert Gentz (Co-CEO of the Group). „At the same time, we are increasing the efficiency of our own processes“.
Zalando
Dow Jones Industrial Average Index
Oil price (West Texas Intermediate)
