The Dax is expected to open with little movement on Monday, according to price action in the futures markets. On Friday, the German benchmark index closed 1.3 percent lower at 24,338.63 points. Continued tensions in the Middle East had weighed on sentiment across European equity markets ahead of the weekend. Conversely, surprisingly strong US labor market data and gains in technology stocks had fueled Wall Street.

Speculation regarding further developments in the Iran conflict is likely to cause continued volatility in stock prices during the coming week. US President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian proposal for peace talks to end the war on Sunday. This followed a US proposal to cease hostilities before negotiating more contentious issues, such as the Iranian nuclear program. Oil prices, which had retreated by around 6.5 percent last week, advanced again by nearly five percent.

The focus on Monday will be on the balance sheets and forecasts of German companies. Among others, Dax-listed GEA Group and Hannover Re will provide insight into their books. In addition, numerous financial reports from smaller firms are due - including MDax members Aurubis, Hochtief, and K+S, as well as SDax companies Adesso and Hypoport.

Closing prices of European Level  

Stock Indices and

Futures on Friday

Dax 24,338.63    

EuroStoxx50 5,911.53    

EuroStoxx50 Future 5,887.00    

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Closing prices of Level Change in

US Indices on Friday Percent

Dow Jones 49,609.16   +0.0%  

Nasdaq 

S&P 500  7,398.93   +0.8%  

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Asian Indices on Level at 07:00 Change in

Monday CET Percent

Nikkei  62,586.36   -0.2%  

Shanghai 4,219.13   +0.9%  

Hang Seng 26,338.43   -0.2%  

(Report by Sanne Schimanski and Anika Ross, edited by Ralf Banser. For inquiries, please contact our editorial team at berlin.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com (for politics and economics) or frankfurt.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com (for companies and markets).)