The DAX edged higher at the start of the week, closing at 24,933 points-a gain of 0.1 percent from the previous day. After a tentative opening, the index built on its losses in the morning but ultimately turned positive in the afternoon.
Christine Romar, Head of Europe at CMC Markets, highlighted that sentiment surveys and related indicators for the German economy remain mixed, painting a very uneven picture. She noted that the Ifo business‑sentiment index, released today, shows no improvement in companies’ outlooks at the start of the year. The confidence in the boom expected from the multi‑billion‑euro fiscal package is being eroded by concerns over weak domestic conditions caused by sluggish reforms.
Romar also blamed the tough week‑starting conditions on developments in the United States. “After the second death in the context of the immigration agency’s violent action, a government shutdown looms by the end of the week-only a month or so after the longest shutdown in history” she said. “Ahead of the midterm elections, the political climate in the U.S. may become even harsher, which is unlikely to go unnoticed by financial markets”.
In Frankfurt’s order book, GEA and Bayer were the top‑ranked stocks right up until close, while Zalando, Rheinmetall and Airbus were at the bottom of the list.
Gas prices fell: a megawatt hour of gas for February delivery cost €39, a drop of about 1 percent from the previous day. If that level persists, the consumer price is expected to be at least around 8 to 11 cents per kilowatt hour, including taxes and fees.
Oil also slipped: a barrel of Brent crude was trading at USD 65.38 on Monday afternoon, down 50 cents (0.8 percent) from the previous close.
The euro weakened in the afternoon: one euro was worth USD 1.1883, so one dollar exchanged for €0.8415.
