FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - The DAX is likely to add a few more points to its previous day's gains on Thursday. Broker IG estimated the leading German index 0.3 percent higher at 18,458 points around two hours before the Xetra start. It is therefore likely to break above the 50-day line again. The focus is on US consumer prices. In the afternoon, these could provide important indications of the interest rate cuts expected soon.

Following the latest comments by Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, investors are increasingly expecting easing in the US in the near future. "Even if it should still take until September, investors are looking forward to cheaper money again after Powell's two speeches," said market observer Konstantin Oldenburger from broker CMC Markets. Apparently, the Fed does not see inflation as the only risk. Powell perceives a clear slowdown in the labor market.

"Powell's comments fueled investors' hopes of a US interest rate cut in the second half of the year," wrote Commerzbank in the morning. As a result, US Treasuries had continued their record rally the previous evening. This should also provide some support for share prices in Germany. Only the Dow Jones Industrial still has to catch up in New York to set a new record./tih/jha/