The DAX 40 slipped toward the 25,000 level on Monday as geopolitical risks resurfaced following a fresh escalation between the United States and Iran over the weekend. The renewed hostilities disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, driving oil prices higher and stoking fears of a resurgence in inflationary pressures and the possibility of additional monetary tightening.
Sentiment was also weighed down by caution ahead of upcoming earnings releases from major US banks. At the same time, technology stocks came under renewed pressure. Infineon Technologies was among the worst performers, falling more than 2%. Shares of construction group Hochtief and energy technology company Siemens Energy—both seen as beneficiaries of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom—also declined, losing 1.8% and 0.3%, respectively.
