Frankfurt's DAX 40 slipped to around 23,490 on Tuesday, erasing the previous session’s modest gains as risk sentiment deteriorated amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. A fresh round of Iranian strikes on Gulf energy infrastructure pushed oil prices higher, reinforcing concerns about persistent global inflation pressures.
At the same time, US President Trump criticized certain Western allies for what he described as a lack of gratitude after several countries declined his request to deploy warships to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.
Investors also focused on upcoming policy decisions from the ECB and the Federal Reserve, with both central banks widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged.
On the corporate front, Rheinmetall, Qiagen NV, Fresenius SE & Co, MTU Aero Engines, and Infineon Technologies were among the main laggards, losing between 0.9% and 1.4%. In contrast, defensive utility stocks outperformed, with E.ON up 1.7% and RWE advancing 1.3%.
