The DAX Index Opens 0.45% Higher

Frankfurt's DAX 40 rose 0.3% to near 25,490 on Wednesday, halting two sessions of losses, as easing oil prices and lower global bond yields offered some relief. This was despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the focus turned to the Fed’s policy outcome later in the day, with a 25-basis-point rate hike already fully priced in. The tech sector provided the main support, alongside banks, utilities and industrials, offsetting weakness in software, autos and retailers. Shares of companies benefiting from the AI boom posted the strongest gains, led by Hochtief, Infineon Technologies and Siemens Energy, which rose between 1.7% and 3.2%. Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank advanced 1.8% and 1.4%, respectively. On the downside, top losers included SAP (-1.7%), Zalando (-1.2%), Volkswagen (-1.1%) and Mercedes-Benz Group (-0.7%).

The DAX Index is gaining 115 points or 0.45 percent on Wednesday. Leading the gains are Commerzbank (1.84%), Siemens Energy (1.73%) and Infineon (1.51%). Top losers are SAP (-1.61%), Zalando (-1.15%) and Qiagen NV (-0.69%).

Frankfurt's DAX 40 pared initial losses to close about 0.2% down at 25,402 on Tuesday, marking the second day of decreases, as rising oil prices and elevated bond yields continued to weigh. Meanwhile, caution prevailed ahead of the Fed's policy outcome on Wednesday, with the central bank expected to hike rates for the first time in three years to fight stubbornly high inflation. Domestically, Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed to soon unveil measures to combat high fuel prices ahead of a crucial election in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Banks came under pressure after Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan warned of a 10% drop in third-quarter fees. Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank fell 2.5% and 0.5%, respectively. On the upside, defense stock Rheinmetall (+3.2%) advanced firmly amid continued geopolitical tensions and reports of US munitions shortages. Tech stocks such as Infineon Technologies recovered, gaining 0.4%, while AI-related stocks such as Siemens Energy and Hochtief also rose.