The DAX Index Opens 1.28% Lower

Frankfurt's DAX 40 fell more than 1% to around 23,700 on Wednesday, reversing losses from the prior day and lagging behind its peers. Traders monitored intensifying tensions in the Middle East, while also assessing a batch of corporate earnings. Rheinmetall led losses, slipping over 5%, after the defense giant reported mixed results and disappointing 2026 guidance. Henkel followed, dropping nearly 4%, after saying it expects sales to continue growing this year, but warned of a slower start due to adverse foreign exchange effects. Other top laggards included SAP, RWE, Vonovia, Adidas and Siemens Energy, with losses between 1.5%-2.3%. Among the few gainers, shares of Volkswagen (0.7%) and Breentag (0.6%) stood out.

The DAX Index is losing -306 points. Losses were led by Henkel (-3.83%), Rheinmetall (-3.55%) and SAP (-2.21%).

Frankfurt's DAX 40 closed about 2.4% firmer at 23,935 on Tuesday, recovering from three-month lows in the prior session, moving in line with other European peers. Investor sentiment improved on optimism over easing Middle East tensions following President Trump's comments, driving oil prices down and alleviating inflation worries. However, threats to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz continued. All sectors saw gains, led by technology and financial stocks. Among the biggest gainers were shares of Siemens Energy (6.4%) and Infineon Technologies (6.1%). Banks and insurers also performed well, with Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank and Allianz gaining between 3.4% and 4.5%. Industrial giant Siemens advanced 5.4%. Volkswagen added 3.2%, after the company said it expects profitability to rebound this year following a challenging 2025. Meanwhile, shares of Lufthansa , which had recently suffered greatly due to concerns about high fuel prices, rose 4% in the MDax.