Germany’s DAX 40 rose 0.6% to cross 26,500 on Friday, reaching a record high as positive economic data, falling oil prices and continued optimism around the technology sector supported sentiment. Most sectors advanced, led by autos, with BMW up 1.9%, Volkswagen gaining 1.4% and Mercedes-Benz Group rising 1.3%. Chemical companies, utilities, industrials and technology stocks also traded firmly higher. Attention has turned to Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s speech at the annual central banking symposium in Jackson Hole, where markets are seeking further guidance on the outlook for monetary policy. The move followed a Thursday session in which the index traded around 26,300, supported in part by optimism over Nvidia’s sales outlook and continued artificial-intelligence spending.