DAX holds above the 25,000 point mark on expiration day - Chip stocks in demand after strong US cues - Süss Microtec significantly firmer after Berenberg study - AIXTRON benefits from Jefferies' Buy rating - LANXESS firmer after insider purchases and MWB Buy rating - Kroger plummets after weak results - Accenture under pressure following gloomy outlook!

The DAX once again shows strength on the last trading day of the week. After the DAX initially started strong in the morning following another set of solid US cues, the German leading index maintained its gains throughout today’s "big expiration day” and trends in the afternoon with an increase of about 0.30% above the mark of 25,000 points. At the beginning of trading, major players from the chip and semiconductor sector are once again in demand, benefiting from strong signals from the US technology exchange Nasdaq. Notably, Süss MicroTec...