DAX opens higher and lifts just above 18,300

As expected the European stock markets have opened higher a short while ago and that saw the CAC 40 lift above 7,700, but at this stage the move higher is hardly convincing and besides it has just now dipped back below that level. At the same time the DAX has continued to push higher and right now it is clearly outperforming the CAC, rising close to the 18,300 handle. In fact it has just now edged above that level. The gains in the DAX come as the Dollar remains firm and gains slightly versus the Yen, Euro and the Pound.