The DAX Index Opens 0.67% Lower

Frankfurt's DAX 40 fell 0.5% to trade below 25,300 on Tuesday, pulling back from four-month highs in the prior session, in line with most European peers. Caution returned as hopes of a deal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz appear more distant following fresh US strikes on Iran and threats from Tehran, pushing oil prices higher again. The situation took a new turn overnight, with reports of explosions in southern Iran. The US military said it carried out self-defense strikes targeting missile launch sites and boats attempting to lay mines, citing protection of its forces from Iranian threats. Top losers included Scout24 (-2.7%), MTU Aero Engines (-2.2%) and Infineon Technologies (-2%). Merck fell 1.8% following negative analyst comments. On the upside, Fresenius Medical Care rose 0.9% after announcing a new share buyback program with a total volume of around €1 billion. Auto stocks also advanced, with Mercedes-Benz Group, BMW and Porsche Automobil adding around 0.4% each.

The DAX Index is dropping 169 points. Leading the losses are Infineon (-2.02%), Merck (-1.85%) and MTU Aero Engines AG (-1.46%). Top gainers were Fresenius Medical Care (0.77%), Deutsche Boerse (0.58%) and E.ON (0.35%).

Frankfurt’s DAX 40 gained ground on Monday, rising about 2% to close at 25,394, its highest level since January, outperforming its European peers. Markets welcomed signs of progress toward a US–Iran peace deal that could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a stabilization of global energy flows. US President Trump said that progress had been made on a draft agreement with Iran but that he would only accept a “great deal for all or no deal at all”, while Iranian officials confirmed talks were underway, prompting a sharp decline in oil prices and easing inflation worries. Energy-sensitive industrials, tech, retailers, banks and travel-related stocks were the top performers. MTU Aero Engines led the way, soaring 6%, followed by Daimler Truck (4.4%), Zalando (4.2%), Infineon Technologies (3.7%), Heidelberg Materials (3.6%) and Siemens Energy (3.3%). Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank advanced 3.2% and 2.9%, respectively.