The recovery course on the German stock market came to an abrupt end on Wednesday. In Frankfurt, the leading German index Dax closed 1.21 percent lower at 12,517.18 points after US labor market data fueled concerns about a continued tight interest rate policy. The MDax of medium-sized companies slipped by 2.20 percent to 22,982.70 points.

"Bad news is suppressed," said Christian Henke of IG Markets with a view to the short-term recovery rally. Inflation would remain high both in Germany and in the euro zone. Against this background, hopes for looser central bank policies are premature.