Germany's equity markets finished the week with modest gains at the close on Friday, as strength in Telecoms, Media and Financial Services sectors helped lift indices in Frankfurt.
At the close, the DAX added 0.09%. The mid-cap MDAX advanced 0.50%, and the tech-focused TecDAX outperformed with a 1.11% rise.
Leading and lagging stocks
Among DAX components, Scout24 AG (ETR:G24n) was the session's strongest performer, rising 4.71% - an increase of 3.25 points to finish at 72.25. Deutsche Telekom AG Na (ETR:DTEGn) also contributed to the upside, climbing 3.59% or 1.18 points to close at 34.09. Deutsche Boerse AG (ETR:DB1Gn) appreciated 2.60%, adding 5.90 points to end the day at 232.40.
On the downside, Commerzbank AG O.N. (ETR:CBKG) was the weakest DAX name, falling 3.70% or 1.33 points to 34.65 at the close. Adidas AG (ETR:ADSGN) slipped 2.65% or 4.30 points to finish at 158.20, while Deutsche Bank AG NA O.N. (ETR:DBKGn) lost 2.40%, ending the session at 30.30 after a 0.75-point decline.
Mid and small-cap movers
On the MDAX, United Internet AG NA (ETR:UTDI) led the index with a 13.27% jump to 28.00. Aixtron SE (ETR:AIXGn) was up 7.90% to settle at 27.60 and Freenet AG NA (ETR:FNTGn) gained 5.25% to close at 27.68. The weakest MDAX names included Delivery Hero AG (ETR:DHER), which fell 4.36% to 19.66, Puma SE (ETR:PUMG) down 4.31% to 23.76, and Deutsche Lufthansa AG (ETR:LHAG), which declined 3.59% to 9.09.
In the TecDAX, United Internet AG NA (ETR:UTDI) again topped movers with a 13.27% rise to 28.00. 11 AG (ETR:1U1) gained 8.28% to reach 24.20, and Aixtron SE (ETR:AIXGn) added 7.90% to close at 27.60. Among declines, Hensoldt Ag (ETR:HAGG) fell 2.94% to 74.40, Infineon Technologies AG NA O.N. (ETR:IFXGn) lost 2.02% to 45.83, and SMA Solar Technology AG (ETR:S92G) dropped 1.40% to 32.34.
Market breadth and notable highs
Advancing issues outnumbered decliners on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange by 322 to 283, with 32 stocks unchanged. Aixtron SE (ETR:AIXGn) was noted to have risen to a 52-week high, advancing 7.90% or 2.02 to 27.60.
Volatility, commodities and FX
The DAX volatility index, a gauge of implied volatility for DAX options, moved up 2.20% to 17.94 by the close.
In commodities, gold futures for April delivery increased 1.05% or 54.74 to trade at 5,248.94 a troy ounce. Energy contracts also strengthened: April delivery crude oil rose 2.24% or 1.46 to $66.67 a barrel, and the May Brent contract climbed 2.22% or 1.57 to $72.41 a barrel.
FX markets showed limited movement in major crosses reported at the close: EUR/USD was little changed at 1.18, a 0.21% move, while EUR/GBP was quoted at 0.88, unchanged by 0.46% in the reporting. The US Dollar Index Futures eased 0.18% to 97.57.
What this session indicates
The session closed with selective rallies concentrated in telecoms, media and certain internet and tech names, while pockets of weakness appeared in banking and consumer goods. Volatility edged higher and commodities posted gains, producing a mixed backdrop as markets closed the week.