# Journaling DAX and FTSE Index Trades

> How to journal European index trades (DAX, FTSE, CAC40). Key drivers, session timing, and what extra context to record for index futures and CFDs.

**URL:** https://traderjournal.app/gold-and-indices/journaling-dax-ftse-index-trades

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# Journaling DAX and FTSE Index Trades

European indices — DAX (Germany), FTSE 100 (UK), and CAC 40 (France) — trade during the European session and have specific price drivers that your journal should capture.

## Key Drivers for European Indices

**ECB policy:** European Central Bank decisions directly affect DAX and FTSE. Note ECB meeting dates in your journal.

**US market correlation:** European indices often follow US futures pre-market. Log S&P 500 futures direction at the time of your European index trade.

**Currency impact on FTSE:** The FTSE 100 is heavily weighted with multinational companies earning in USD. A weak GBP often supports FTSE. Log GBP/USD direction for FTSE trades.

**German economic data:** DAX is sensitive to German PMI, IFO business sentiment, and ZEW economic expectations. Log whether a major German data release occurred that day.

**Opening gap:** European indices often gap at the open relative to US market close. Note whether your entry was into or with an opening gap.

## What to Log for Index Trades

```
Instrument: DAX / FTSE100 / CAC40
Direction: Long / Short
Session: Pre-market / Open / Mid-session
US futures (S&P/Nasdaq): Up / Down / Flat at entry
Currency condition: GBP/EUR strengthening / weakening
Major data event today: Yes / No (describe)
Gap at open: Up gap / Down gap / No gap
Opening range: Defined (first 30 min high/low)
Setup: Breakout / Reversion / Trend continuation
Result: Win / Loss / BE
```

Tags: `dax`, `ftse`, `cac`, `index-gap`, `index-orb` (opening range breakout)

## Session Timing Notes

DAX futures open at 08:00 CET (07:00 UTC). The highest volatility window is 08:00–10:30 CET and 14:30–17:00 CET (US open overlap).

FTSE cash opens at 08:00 London time. Pre-market futures start earlier.

## Summary

European indices require tracking both European-specific catalysts and US market influence. Logging these context factors over 50+ trades will reveal whether your edge is session-specific, catalyst-driven, or purely technical.