The DAX closed Thursday with its fourth consecutive daily decline, slipping 0.42% to 25,983.04 points, marking the lowest level since the start of the month. The MDax of mid-cap stocks fell 0.34% to 31,715.53.
The losses extended a pullback from the index’s record high of 26,573 points set the previous week, as rising oil prices and climbing bond yields weighed on investor sentiment. Brent crude futures approached $100 per barrel, driven by concerns over disruptions to global supply amid tensions in the Middle East.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning of an ‘unprecedented economic war’ against Iran underscored the fragile backdrop. Analysts at Landesbank Helaba noted that the situation in the region remains tense, with the Strait of Hormuz—a critical oil shipping route—far from secure. ‘Energy prices have settled at elevated levels,’ they said.
Stock-specific moves included Sartorius, whose shares surged more than 6% after UBS upgraded the biotech firm, citing strong growth prospects. Analyst Matthew Weston highlighted that ‘premium growth deserves a premium valuation.’
In the DAX, Continental gained about 1%, with JPMorgan’s Jose Asumendi upgrading the automaker and Michelin, citing favorable industry dynamics. Conversely, Brenntag declined roughly 1% after Bank of America resumed coverage with an ‘Underperform’ rating. Ströer also fell over 3% following Kepler Cheuvreux’s downgrade to ‘Hold.’
The Euro Stoxx 50, the broader eurozone benchmark, dropped 0.35%. Outside the eurozone, Swiss and London equities ended little changed, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average in New York was down 0.7% at the European close.
