The DAX Index Closes 0.18% Lower

The DAX 40 closed about 0.2% down at 24,626 after a choppy session on Monday, extending previous week's losses, amid Middle East caution. After several days of missile and drone strikes near the Strait of Hormuz, the US and Iran have reportedly agreed to pause attacks, even as disagreements persist over the resumption of talks in Qatar this week, Meanwhile, investors braced for a slate of economic data releases, with inflation in focus, as well as the start of the ECB’s Sintra Forum, where Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh and ECB President Christine Lagarde are scheduled to speak. Heidelberg Materials was the top loser, plunging 9.1%, on reduced revenue forecasts from several analyst firms for the building materials group in Q2. Deutsche Post dropped 5% after reports that CEO Tim Höttges is pushing ahead with the merger of Telekom and T-Mobile faster than previously thought. Auto stocks also faced pressure, while defense names such Rheinmetall (3%) and Hensoldt (4.2%) stood out.

The DAX Index fell 44 points or 0.18 percent on Monday to close at 24627 points. Leading the losses are HeidelbergCement (-9.49%), Deutsche Telekom (-5.45%) and Volkswagen (-3.39%). Top gainers were Rheinmetall (3.12%), RWE (3.11%) and Siemens Energy (2.04%).

The DAX 40 rose 0.3% to around 24,740 on Monday, following previous week's losses, underpinned by chipmakers, while traders assessed the latest Middle East developments. The US and Iran agreed to pause mutual attacks after a recent escalation in hostilities and to continue discussions on a memorandum of understanding later this week. Meanwhile, attention turns to the ECB's Sintra Forum, where leading central bankers, including Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh and ECB President Christine Lagarde, are expected to share their views on the global economic outlook and the path of monetary policy. Infineon Technologies led gains among stocks, rising more than 3%. Rheinmetall (1.6%) and Hensold (1.9%) also moved higher. On the flip side, automotive stocks were under renewed pressure. Volkswagen shares continued their recent weakness, falling 2.5% to its lowest level since 2010. BMW shares also dropped 1.9% to their lowest level since 2020.