FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - After the jump back above 14,000 points at midweek, a further plus is emerging for the Dax on Thursday. Thus, the broker IG assesses the leading index Dax two and a half hours before the Xetra start about 0.2 percent higher at 14 130 points. The next orientation mark upwards is the 21-day line at just above 14 300 points. It reflects the short-term trend.

The major U.S. indices had continued their recovery on Wednesday and the Asian markets followed in the morning. An eight-month high in U.S. consumer confidence had driven stock prices, Credit Suisse said. At the same time, consumer inflation expectations fell sharply, it said. In China, there were renewed signals from politicians to strengthen the economy./ag/stk