The main German stock index, the DAX, was steady Tuesday after the previous day's sharp losses, rising 0.06 per cent to 4204.61 at the close of electronic trading. The MDAX closed 0.81 per cent higher at 5651.61. The TecDAX rose 0.78 per cent to 505.91. Frankfurt brokers said investors remained worried that U.S. economic growth was running out of steam. Chemicals group BASF was the main gainer Tuesday, with investors pleased at a buyback programme for shares. BASF stock rose 2.08 per cent to 52.09 euros. The euro was firmer on currency markets Tuesday, with the European Central Bank posting a 1.2996 dollars reference rate, up from 1.2967 dollars on Monday. The dollar correspondingly slipped to 76.95 (77.12) euro-cents in the new ECB quotation. The euro was slightly lower in the ECB's other main peggings Tuesday, at 68.07 (68.32) British pence, 139.54 (139.60) yen and 1.5450 (1.5476) Swiss francs. -- SPA 2328 Local Time 2028 GMT
