The DAX Index Opens 0.35% Higher

Frankfurt’s DAX 40 edged up 0.3% to just above 25,000 on Friday, attempting to recover after two consecutive sessions of losses. Markets found some relief as oil prices declined and the bond selloff eased, with investors awaiting the latest Eurozone inflation data for clues on the ECB's next moves. Meanwhile, attention remained focused on the Middle East, where prospects for a truce between the United States and Iran appears increasingly distant. According to the Wall Street Journal, Washington is sending a third aircraft carrier to the Middle East with an additional 10,000 American troops. The tech sector outperformed, with industrials also moving higher, while pharmaceutical and banking stocks lagged. Infineon Technologies (2.7%) led gains among stocks, alongside AI-related Hochtief (2.2%) and Siemens Energy (1.7%). Airbus, Continental and Scout24 also advanced firmly. On the flip side, Commerzbank dropped over 2% after RBC downgraded the stock to "sector perform" from "outperform".

The DAX Index is up by 88 points or 0.35 percent on Friday. Top gainers are Infineon (2.56%), Siemens Energy (1.57%) and Airbus (1.44%). Biggest losses came from Commerzbank (-2.11%), Qiagen NV (-2.08%) and Adidas (-0.98%).

Frankfurt's DAX 40 finished about 1% down at 24,939 on Thursday, its lowest since July 23, pressured by rising oil prices and elevated bond yields. Middle East risks remained high, with diplomatic efforts to resolve the Middle East conflict apparently stalled. At the same time, accelerating inflation in major European economies added pressure on the ECB to keep rates higher for longer. Almost all sectors recorded declines, led by pharma & healthcare, banks, autos. Bayer (-5.2%) was the biggest laggard among stocks, followed by Volkswagen (-3.4%), Merck (-2.6%), Deutsche Bank (-2.4%) and Fresenius SE & CO (-2.3%). The tech sector also lost momentum, with Infineon Technologies down 0.1%. On the upside, Heidelberg Materials climbed 3% to lead the index after JPMorgan issued a “Buy” rating.