Interest rate worries also weighed on the German stock market on Wednesday. Around noon, the Dax fell by 0.66 percent to 15,297.91 points. The leading German index thus followed the course development in the USA and Asia. The MDax lost 1.23 percent to 28,357.08 points, and the leading euro zone index EuroStoxx 50 fell by 0.75 percent to 4218.60 points.

"Anxiety about interest rates is spoiling market sentiment," is how the experts at the Swiss bank Credit Suisse summarized market activity. In view of the development of interest rates, some investors may be tempted to take the double-digit percentage price gains on the European stock market since the beginning of the year and switch them to bonds.

In addition to company news, the focus in Frankfurt was also on the Ifo business climate. It brightened for the fourth month in a row in February, albeit a little less than expected - but it had no noticeable impact on the Dax.