Frankfurt's DAX 40 closed about 0.6% lower at 25,256 on Thursday, its weakest level since July 24, mirroring a broader downturn across European equity markets. Rising oil prices added further pressure on sovereign bonds amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Reports indicated that Houthi forces fired missiles at Saudi Arabia, while an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader cautioned against opening a new front in response to any potential US strike.
Investors also focused on a high-stakes summit between US President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, with trade relations, artificial intelligence and the war in the Middle East among the key issues on the agenda.
Selling pressure was broad-based, with notable weakness in technology stocks as well as the automotive, banking, retail and industrial sectors. Infineon Technologies was the worst performer on the index, sliding 3.9%. Rheinmetall, Scout24, Volkswagen, BMW and Deutsche Bank also retreated, recording losses of between 2% and 3.4%.
By contrast, defensive names outperformed. Beiersdorf advanced 3%, while reinsurers Munchener Ruck and Hannover Ruck each gained 2.2%, topping the list of gainers.
