Stock Markets February 17, 2026

German Stocks Close Higher; DAX Advances 0.82% on Strength in Healthcare, Tech and Retail

Bayer leads gains as Infineon hits a five-year peak while several industrials and software names lag

By Derek Hwang
German Stocks Close Higher; DAX Advances 0.82% on Strength in Healthcare, Tech and Retail

Frankfurt markets rose at Tuesday's close with the DAX up 0.82%, powered by gains in Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare, Technology and Retail. Bayer and Infineon were among the notable winners, while Daimler Truck, Siemens Energy and Continental weighed on the index. Market breadth was modestly positive and volatility edged higher amid mixed commodity movements.

Key Points

  • DAX closed up 0.82% with Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare, Technology and Retail leading gains.
  • Bayer AG NA surged 7.35% to reach 49.32 and Infineon Technologies reached a five-year high at 44.58.
  • Market breadth was positive with 341 advancers versus 278 decliners; volatility as measured by the DAX index rose to 19.70.

Germany's equity benchmarks finished the trading session higher on Tuesday, with the benchmark DAX rising 0.82% at the close in Frankfurt. The mid-cap MDAX added 0.39% and the technology-focused TecDAX climbed 0.77%, as the Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare, Technology and Retail sectors provided upward momentum.

The day's leading DAX performer was Bayer AG NA (ETR:BAYGN), which surged 7.35% or 3.38 points to close at 49.32. Residential real estate firm Vonovia SE (ETR:VNAn) also posted a strong finish, gaining 3.82% or 1.01 points to end the session at 27.43. Semiconductor maker Infineon Technologies AG NA O.N. (ETR:IFXGn) rose 3.16% or 1.37 points to finish at 44.58.

On the downside, Daimler Truck Holding AG (ETR:DTGGe) was the weakest DAX stock, slipping 1.94% or 0.83 points to close at 41.90. Siemens Energy AG (ETR:ENR1n) fell 1.44% or 2.35 points to finish at 161.05, while Continental AG O.N. (ETR:CONG) edged down 0.92% or 0.68 points to end the day at 73.12.


The MDAX featured sizable movers as well. Aroundtown Property Holdings PLC (ETR:AT1) rose 4.78% to 2.94. Medical technology group Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (ETR:AFXG) gained 4.49% to settle at 27.00, and real estate company Deutsche Wohnen AG (ETR:DWNG) advanced 4.27% to close at 23.20.

Among the MDAX decliners, Aumovio Se (ETR:AMV0n) fell 4.33% to 41.12 in late trade. TeamViewer AG (ETR:TMV) lost 2.95% to settle at 4.80, and copper processor Aurubis AG (ETR:NAFG) declined 2.26% to finish at 164.20.


In the TecDAX, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (ETR:AFXG) led gains with a 4.49% rise to 27.00. IT services provider Cancom SE O.N. (ETR:COKG) climbed 4.44% to settle at 23.50, and IONOS Group SE (ETR:IOSn) added 3.28% to close at 23.60.

Technology-related weakness was present as well: Ottobock SE & Co KgaA (ETR:OBCK) fell 4.15% to 55.45 in late trade, SMA Solar Technology AG (ETR:S92G) lost 3.41% to settle at 32.84, and TeamViewer AG (ETR:TMV) was down 2.95% to 4.80 at the close.


Market breadth on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange was tilted toward advancers, with 341 stocks rising versus 278 declining and 27 finishing unchanged.

Several individual stock milestones were recorded during the session. Bayer AG NA (ETR:BAYGN) climbed to 52-week highs, gaining 7.35% or 3.38 to 49.32. Infineon Technologies AG NA O.N. (ETR:IFXGn) rose to 5-year highs, adding 3.16% or 1.37 to 44.58. By contrast, TeamViewer AG (ETR:TMV) fell to all-time lows, down 2.95% or 0.15 to 4.80, and Ottobock SE & Co KgaA (ETR:OBCK) also touched all-time lows, losing 4.15% or 2.40 to 55.45. TeamViewer AG's retreat to an all-time low was recorded twice in the trading summary, reflecting the stock's weaker session.

Volatility as measured by the DAX volatility index, which reflects the implied volatility of DAX options, rose 2.84% to 19.70.


Commodities and currencies moved unevenly alongside European equities. Gold Futures for April delivery were reported down 3.16% or 159.26 to $4,887.04 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for April delivery fell 1.00% or 0.63 to $62.12 a barrel, while the April Brent contract lost 2.13% or 1.46 to trade at $67.19 a barrel.

In foreign exchange, EUR/USD was unchanged 0.16% at 1.18, while EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.56% at 0.87. The US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.42% at 97.22.


Separately, the session summary included commentary on investment tools available to traders, noting that better data and AI-driven insights can assist in identifying investment opportunities. The commentary referenced InvestingPro+ and suggested asking WarrenAI as part of a research process, while noting that no tool guarantees winners.

Risks

  • Commodity and currency moves were mixed, with significant declines in reported Gold Futures and Brent crude - this could affect resource and energy sectors.
  • Several individual stocks registered all-time lows or notable declines, highlighting stock-specific downside risk in technology and industrial names.
  • Rising implied volatility in DAX options indicates greater market uncertainty, which can increase risk for leveraged and options-based strategies.

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