FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - The DAX had a somewhat more difficult time on its record-breaking run on Friday. However, only a small drop after a 3.7 percent weekly gain so far shows that there is still no sign of any real signs of fatigue: Broker IG valued the leading index 0.1 percent lower at 20,335 points two hours before the Xetra start. It has now recorded six winning days in a row - with a rise of well over 1,000 points. 20,373 points is a record that needs to be exceeded.

The labor market data in the USA this afternoon is likely to be a test of sentiment in the midst of the year-end rally. Investors had already held back on new commitments in New York the previous evening. Commerzbank emphasized the influence that the labour market report could have on the Fed's next interest rate decision in December. The hope of interest rate cuts has been an important factor in the equity rally for months. The DAX has now increased its annual gain to 21.5 percent.

The political uncertainty in France is not a factor that is slowing things down. President Emmanuel Macron is working hard to find a new prime minister following the fall of the government. Macron intends to nominate a new head of government in the coming days. "We can afford neither division nor stagnation," he said in an address to the nation./tih/jha/