Frankfurt's DAX 40 closed about 0.9% lower at 25,044 on Thursday, retreating from the one-month highs reached in the previous session, as investors digested disappointing corporate earnings and weighed heightened geopolitical risks. After the latest round of nuclear talks between the US and Iran, signs of a potentially imminent military conflict have increased. Sentiment was further dampened by the US Federal Reserve, which, in the minutes of its most recent meeting, underscored the risks posed by persistently high inflation. Renewed caution toward the global tech sector also added pressure.
Among notable movers, Airbus shares slumped 6.7% to their lowest level since early December. This came despite a slight rise in Q4 profits, as the company cut its main jet production target due to ongoing supply-chain disruptions. Banks and technology stocks were also under pressure. Automakers, led by BMW (-1.9%) and Volkswagen (-1.4%), tracked losses in French peer Renault after its weaker-than-expected results.
