Germany’s benchmark DAX index passed the 19,000-point mark for the first time on Thursday, buoyed by the first interest rate cut in four years in the United States. The stock exchange, which tracks Germany’s top companies, rose by 1.3% to reach the record high during early afternoon trading. The index passed the 18,000-point mark in March this year, after breaking through the 17,000-point mark last December. At its peak, the leading German index reached a record high of almost 19,045 points on Thursday. Ultimately, it closed 1.55% higher at 19,002.38 points. Thursday’s DAX high mark came as in…