The DAX Index, Germany’s leading stock market indicator, has gained momentum, reaching new highs in recent trading sessions. On Friday, the DAX rose by 0.40%, closing at a record level of 17,117 points and started this new week at 17,140.

However, the surge in the DAX can be attributed to several factors, including investor optimism surrounding the prospect of an interest rate cut by the European Central Bank (ECB) in April. In the meantime, positive sentiment regarding economic recovery and corporate earnings has bolstered investor confidence, fueling demand for DAX-listed stocks.

ECB Rate Cut Speculation Boosting DAX MomentumAs mentioned above, the main factor behind the DAX’s upward momentum is speculation surrounding the European Central Bank (ECB) cutting interest rates in April.

However, this speculation gained traction after comments from ECB officials, including Bank of France Governor François Villeroy de Galhau, who suggested that the ECB should not delay rate cuts. Despite ECB President Christine Lagarde’s caution against premature rate cuts, investors remain optimistic about the prospect of lower borrowing costs stimulating economic growth.

As a result, the anticipation of an ECB rate cut has fueled investor confidence, driving demand for DAX-listed stocks.

Divergent Monetary Policies

In contrast to the ECB’s dovish stance, the United States showed a mixed picture with its economic data. While US producer prices showed an unexpected increase in January, indicating potential inflationary pressures, Federal Reserve officials have been cautious about the timing of interest rate adjustments.

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) members have warned against cutting rates too early, citing concerns about overheating the economy. Hence, the divergence in monetary policy between the ECB and the Fed has impacted investor sentiment and market sentiment.

The positive economic data from the US has tempered expectations of aggressive rate cuts, which could impact the performance of the DAX in the near term.

Geopolitical Tensions: Impact on DAX Outlook

Furthermore, the geopolitical tensions, particularly the long-lasting skirmish between Israel and Hamas, hurt the market sentiment. The escalating violence in the Middle East can potentially disrupt global markets and investor sentiment.

As per the latest report, Israeli attacks killed 28,858 Palestinians and wounded 68,667, with 1,139 deaths in Israel from Hamas attacks since October 7. Hence, the concerns about geopolitical instability could lead to increased volatility and risk aversion among investors, impacting the performance of the DAX and other major indices.

DAX (German 30) Price Forecast: Technical Outlook

Today, the DAX index experienced a slight decline of 0.31%, settling at 17063.93. Amidst the market’s ebb and flow, key technical levels have come into focus. The pivot point stands at 17048.22, with immediate resistance observed at 17118.59.

Additional resistance levels are identified at 17177.44 and 17242.64, which could challenge upward movements. Conversely, support levels at 16986.33, 16932.78, and 16831.11 offer potential cushions against further declines.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 55 and the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at 16938.42 suggest a neutral to slightly bullish sentiment. A notable double bottom pattern around 17050 hints at a pivotal support level, potentially bolstering the DAX’s position.

This technical setup indicates a bullish tendency above 17050, pointing towards an optimistic outlook if the index maintains above this threshold.