The Dax is poised for a weaker opening on Thursday, according to futures market trends. On Wednesday, the German benchmark index closed 1.3 percent lower at 24,795.94 points. Market sentiment was dampened by renewed concerns over the situation in the Middle East and trade policy. Profit-taking also set in on Wall Street.

On Thursday, investors are awaiting April retail sales data for the Eurozone. In the U.S., the weekly figures for initial jobless claims are due to be released.

As announced by Deutsche Börse subsidiary ISS Stoxx on Wednesday evening, construction group Hochtief will join the German blue-chip index, replacing Volkswagen majority shareholder Porsche effective June 22. A reshuffle is also taking place in the MDax and SDax indices.

Closing prices of European Level  

Stock Indices and

Futures on Wednesday

Dax 24,795.94    

EuroStoxx50 6,053.57    

EuroStoxx50-Future 6,066.00    

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Closing prices of Level Change in

U.S. Indices on Wednesday Percent

Dow Jones 50,687.07   -1.2%  

Nasdaq 

S&P 500  7,553.68   -0.7%  

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Asian Indices on Prices at 07:00 Change in

Thursday CET Percent

Nikkei 

Shanghai 4,066.56   -0.4%  

Hang Seng 25,277.38   -1.4%  

(Report by Anika Ross, Sanne Schimanski. Edited by Hans Busemann. 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).)