German stock markets closed higher on Thursday, driven primarily by gains in the Technology, Software and Media sectors. At the close in Frankfurt the DAX rose 1.31%, the MDAX increased 1.46%, and the TecDAX advanced 2.34%.
On the DAX, Infineon Technologies AG NA O.N. (ETR:IFXGn) was the top performer, climbing 5.76% or 3.71 points to finish at 68.07. SAP SE (ETR:SAPG) added 3.64% or 4.96 points to close at 141.22, while Volkswagen AG VZO O.N. (ETR:VOWG_p) gained 2.68% or 2.32 points to end the session at 88.84.
Not all large-cap names moved higher. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (ETR:BMWG) was the weakest on the DAX, slipping 5.35% or 4.32 points to finish at 76.38. Scout24 AG (ETR:G24n) dropped 2.72% or 2.10 points to close at 75.00, and E.ON SE (ETR:EONGn) declined 1.68% or 0.32 points to 18.42 in late trading.
The MDAX also saw notable winners and laggards. Delivery Hero AG (ETR:DHER) led the gainers on that index with a 7.62% rise to 28.25. Aixtron SE (ETR:AIXGn) climbed 7.21% to settle at 55.28, while RTL Group SA (ETR:RRTL) added 3.95% to close at 30.25. On the downside, Freenet AG NA (ETR:FNTGn) fell 6.46% to 25.18, Bilfinger SE O.N. (ETR:GBFG) lost 3.00% to 89.00, and Deutsche Lufthansa AG (ETR:LHAG) eased 2.68% to 7.91.
Tech-focused small caps were particularly strong on the TecDAX. SMA Solar Technology AG (ETR:S92G) surged 15.85% or 8.85 points to end at 64.70. Aixtron SE (ETR:AIXGn) again featured among the leaders with a 7.21% gain to 55.28, and SUSS MicroTec SE (ETR:SMHNn) rose 7.01% or 6.15 points to close at 93.90.
Additional individual movements noted on the exchange included Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (ETR:AFXG), which fell 1.74% to 24.90, and Deutsche Telekom AG Na (ETR:DTEGn), which was down 0.50% to 27.82.
Market breadth favored advancing names. On the Frankfurt Stock Exchange rising stocks outnumbered decliners by 407 to 203, with 28 issues unchanged at the close.
Several stocks reached notable price milestones during the session. Infineon Technologies AG NA O.N. (ETR:IFXGn) rose to five-year highs, closing at 68.07 after its 5.76% advance. Freenet AG NA (ETR:FNTGn) dropped to 52-week lows, falling 6.46% to 25.18. Aixtron SE (ETR:AIXGn) reached all-time highs as it climbed 7.21% to 55.28. SMA Solar Technology AG (ETR:S92G) hit 52-week highs following its 15.85% jump to 64.70. SUSS MicroTec SE (ETR:SMHNn) also rose to all-time highs, gaining 7.01% to 93.90.
Volatility and commodities moved alongside equities. The DAX volatility index, which measures the implied volatility of DAX options, declined 6.45% to 21.75.
In commodities trading, Gold Futures for June delivery fell 0.48% or 22.50 to $4,684.20 a troy ounce. Crude oil for June delivery eased 0.36% or 0.36 to $100.66 a barrel, while the July Brent contract decreased 0.91% or 0.96 to trade at $104.67 a barrel.
Currency markets were relatively steady. EUR/USD was unchanged at 1.17 with a 0.32% notation, and EUR/GBP was effectively flat at 0.87 with a 0.03% move. The US Dollar Index Futures were up 0.23% at 98.65.
Summary of session
- German equities closed higher with the DAX up 1.31%, MDAX up 1.46% and TecDAX up 2.34%.
- Technology, Software and Media sector strength led the rally, with semiconductors, solar and microfabrication equipment among notable performers.
- Several large industrial and telecom names weighed on the market, while a number of stocks reached multi-month or all-time highs and lows.
The trading day in Frankfurt reflected concentrated gains in technology-related names that supported broader index moves, set against pullbacks in select industrial and consumer-facing companies. Market participants noted lower implied volatility on DAX options and modest moves in commodities and FX pairs as the session closed.