Frankfurt’s DAX 40 slipped back into negative territory on Thursday, closing down about 1.6% at 23,816, as global market volatility persisted amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Energy prices climbed again, with continued hostilities in the region showing no signs of de-escalation and fueling worries about the economic fallout of a prolonged conflict.
Market sentiment had briefly improved earlier in the session following reports that Iran, in preliminary talks with the United States, signaled it might be willing to relinquish its stockpile of highly enriched uranium in return for concessions.
On the corporate side, Merck (-8.1%) and DHL parent Deutsche Post (-4.6%) remained under heavy pressure after releasing earnings and a disappointing outlook for 2026. Other major decliners included Rheinmetall, Siemens Energy, Infineon Technologies, Fresenius SE & Co., and Siemens, each losing between 3% and 5%. Banks were also weaker, with Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank both falling more than 2%.
