Germany’s benchmark DAX index passed the 19,000-point mark for the first time on Thursday. The stock exchange, which tracks Germany’s top companies, rose by 1.3% to reach the record high. The index passed the 18,000-point mark in March this year, after breaking through the 17,000-point mark last December. The increase comes as investors greet the decision by the US Federal Reserve, which announced a big interest rate cut on Wednesday amid cooling inflation.