On Thursday, Germany's stock indices closed with significant positive momentum, reflecting encouraging performances in key sectors such as Technology, Retail, and Telecommunications.
At Frankfurt's close, the benchmark DAX index climbed 1.28%, supported by solid gains in major industrial and automotive stocks. The MDAX index, representing mid-cap firms, surged 2.45%, and the TecDAX, focusing on technology-related companies, increased by 1.83%.
The leading performers on the DAX included Volkswagen AG, which saw its share price jump 6.51% to close at 105.30 euros, contributing 6.44 points to the index. Porsche Automobil Holding SE also recorded a 4.32% increase, settling at 37.66 euros, while Heidelberg Materials AG posted a 4.28% rise, ending the day at a record 238.70 euros.
Conversely, some DAX constituents experienced declines. Rheinmetall AG’s shares dropped 3.40% to 1,790.50 euros, marking a loss of 63 points, while MTU Aero Engines NA O.N. fell 0.79%, closing at 377.00 euros. RWE AG ST O.N. was similarly down by 0.77%, ending at 51.30 euros.
Within the MDAX, United Internet AG NA led gains with an 8.01% increase, reaching 28.32 euros. Rational AG followed with a 6.20% rise to 668.00 euros, and AUTO1 Group SE advanced 5.65%, finishing at 29.52 euros. In contrast, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG suffered a substantial decline of 16.65%, descending to a five-year low of 29.34 euros. Shares of Hensoldt AG dropped 3.96% to 83.60 euros, while RENK Group AG closed down 2.08% at 57.50 euros.
The TecDAX mirrored this pattern, with SMA Solar Technology AG surging 12.02% to a 52-week high of 38.22 euros. United Internet AG NA maintained its 8.01% gain and Nagarro SE rose 6.99% to end at 69.60 euros. On the downside, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG again recorded a significant loss of 16.65%. Hensoldt AG and Aixtron SE also declined by 3.96% and 1.89%, respectively.
Among all stocks traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, rising issues outnumbered decliners by a margin of 463 to 163, while 23 stocks remained unchanged.
Noteworthy movements include Heidelberg Materials AG reaching an all-time high share price, moving up 4.28% or 9.80 euros to 238.70 euros. At the same time, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG dipped to levels not seen in five years, falling 16.65% or 5.86 euros to 29.34 euros. SMA Solar Technology AG achieved a 52-week peak by advancing 12.02% or 4.10 euros to 38.22 euros.
Market volatility measured by the DAX volatility index decreased by 5.36% to 18.72, suggesting a calmer atmosphere in the options market for the benchmark index.
In commodities trading, Gold Futures for February rose 1.01%, increasing by 48.69 points to settle at 4,886.19 dollars per troy ounce. Conversely, crude oil prices retreated, with March delivery futures falling 2.01% to 59.40 dollars per barrel, and Brent oil contracts for March decreasing 1.90% to 64.00 dollars per barrel.
Currency movements saw the euro appreciated against the US dollar, with the EUR/USD pair gaining 0.44% to 1.17, while the EUR/GBP pair remained relatively flat, changing by only 0.03% to 0.87. The US Dollar Index futures declined by 0.37% to 98.19.