As early US players return to the markets and we take a look at the vista here across the European stock markets there is one thing that once again stands out. That is the outperformance of the German DAX. The CAC 40 is still struggling and the FTSE 100 futures have not made any progress, in the absence of the UK markets being open today. So, the DAX has now extended the break above 23,200 noted here earlier this morning. The index has now risen close to 23,250, but it is off that high just now. One thing seems clear though and that is the gains right now in the EUR/USD coming alongside with those of the DAX. The inference is clear, especially when we note the three main US futures are all still in the red right now. The DAX is currently trading at 23,215