The DAX opened Thursday with losses. The benchmark index was calculated around 9:30 AM at approximately 26,000 points, representing a 0.4 percent decline from the previous day’s closing level. Among the stocks ranking highest were Continental, BMW, and Volkswagen, while Brenntag, SAP, and Merck were at the lower end.
Regarding global affairs, Thomas Altmann of QC Partners stated that Donald Trump is intensifying his rhetoric against Iran while also preparing a shift in US military policy. Altmann noted, “The direction is moving away from a military confrontation toward an economic dispute.” He cautioned that these measures currently remain only threats, suggesting that Trump’s repeated aim remains to push Iran toward a negotiated solution.
Meanwhile, energy prices have remained high. The gas future contract for December closed yesterday at a record high, sitting five percent above its previous peak established in March.
Financially, the common European currency showed slight strength on Thursday morning: one Euro was trading at 1.1681 US dollars, meaning a dollar was equivalent to 0.8561 Euros. Separately, oil prices rose, with a barrel of North Sea Brent reaching 92.53 US dollars around 9 AM German time-a gain of 1.0 percent or 91 cents compared to the close of the previous day.
