The DAX Index Opens 0.08% Lower

The DAX 40 moved slightly into positive territory on Monday, rising 0.2% to near 25,120, buoyed by gains in telecom and chemical stocks, while traders remained attentive to developments in the Middle East. The United States launched fresh strikes on Iran following a weekend of escalating attacks, prompting Tehran to retaliate across the Middle East. Concerns over energy disruptions intensified after Tehran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, reviving fears of higher inflation and prolonged elevated interest rates. Meanwhile, the tech sector continued to face pressure. Attention was also turning to the start of the earnings season in the US. Among the top performers were shares of Deutsche Telekom, Siemens Healthineers, Zalando, and BASF, with gains ranging from 1.4% to 2.6%. Infineon Technologies led losses, falling 1.7%, as a wave of profit-taking in AI-related semiconductor stocks spread from Asia to global markets.

The DAX 40 edged lower toward the 25,000 mark on Monday, as geopolitical tensions returned to the forefront after the latest US-Iran escalation over the weekend. Fresh hostilities have disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing oil prices higher and raising concerns over renewed inflationary pressures and the prospect of further monetary tightening. Markets also awaited the start of the US earnings season, with major banks among the first to report.. Meanwhile, the tech sector weakened, mirroring a broader semiconductor selloff. Infineon Technologies led losses among stocks, down over 2%. Shares of construction company Hochtief and energy technology group Siemens Energy, both beneficiaries of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, also fell 1.8% and 0.3%, respectively. On the upside, top gainers included Scout24 (1.8%), Deutsche Telekom (1.6%) and Deutsche Borse (1.3%).

The DAX Index is falling 20 points. Losses were driven by Infineon (-2.10%), HeidelbergCement (-2.02%) and MTU Aero Engines AG (-1.30%). Biggest rises came from Deutsche Telekom (1.65%), Scout24 (1.30%) and Deutsche Boerse (1.24%).