Germany's DAX index inches up

Germany's benchmark DAX index on Friday inched up by 0.48 percent to 9768.01 points. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange opened slightly higher but went steadily upward before it closed with gains. The first quarter of this year saw substantial growth of Germany economy and the expectation for a possible rate cut by the European Central Bank (ECB), which, according to analysts, are conducive factors among investors. Two utilities companies, RWE AG St and E.ON SE, were among the top five risers, which also include Deutsche Lufthansa AG,HeidelbergCement AG and Siemens AG. Deutsche Bank AG and Linde AG dropped by 1.4 percent and 1.05 respectively, being the two top fallers of the day. Siemens AG, which is involved in a takeover deal with the French comopany Alstom, was the most frequently traded share of the day with turnover of 189.78 million euros (about 258.69 million U.S. dollars).