FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - Encouraging US inflation data boosted a number of interest-sensitive stocks on Tuesday afternoon. Consumer prices for October showed a surprisingly significant weakening. Core inflation, which economists pay particular attention to, also fell compared to September.

The figures are significant for the Fed's monetary policy, which has not recently raised its key interest rates any further. US central bankers had not ruled out further hikes recently. However, the chief economist at VP Bank, Thomas Gitzel, considers the interest rate high to have been reached. "If the rise in rents continues to slow in the coming months, the inflation rate should fall significantly," he says in a study. "The next interest rate move will be downwards."

The index of European real estate companies topped the sector table with a gain of 6.2 percent, reaching its highest level since mid-March. Vonovia was one of the biggest winners in the Dax with a price increase of 7.7 percent. In the MDax and SDax, stocks such as LEG Immobilien, TAG Immobilien, Aroundtown and Grand City Properties were among the most popular.

The shares of Dax leader Zalando gained 9.2 percent. Highly growth-dependent stocks such as those of the online retailer are benefiting just as clearly as real estate stocks from lower interest rates. RWE shares, which had already been driven by good business figures, also received an additional boost from the data and overcame resistance at around 37 euros from the beginning of November. The important business with capital-intensive alternative energies is likely to play a major role here./gl/bek/he