On Tuesday the DAX slipped slightly, closing at 22,637 points on Xetra – a fall of 0.1 % compared with the previous day’s close. After a weak start the index stayed in the red zone, wobbling within a modest range of negative gains.
Chief market analyst Andreas Lipkow of CMC Markets explained that uncertainty over the Middle‑East situation continues to dominate investor sentiment worldwide, whether for private or professional portfolios. He added that speculation over possible insider trading tied to yesterday’s post from the U.S. president has only intensified the turbulence. “While most investors try to make decisions amid great uncertainty, a small group appears to know more than the rest of the world” Lipkow said, noting that it is nearly impossible to act independently-or in the best interest of clients-under these conditions.
Lipkow also warned that news remains opaque and that the risk of further escalation in the Middle East looms as a constant companion for market participants. In the United States, rising yields are adding pressure on inflation fears as energy prices climb, prompting investors to question how the conflict will affect consumption and price levels across the U.S. and Europe.
The analyst added that the private‑credit market is deteriorating further, raising concerns about a new crisis wave in the U.S. “More large private‑equity firms are limiting the availability of called capital” Lipkow observed. “Given this backdrop, the DAX is left to wander directionlessly in large sideways swings, which, paradoxically, can still be viewed as a form of success in these hours”.
Up to the close of trading, Brenntag and BASF led the daily ranking of German equities, with Scout 24 and SAP occupying the bottom positions.
Gas prices fell sharply. The cost of one megawatt‑hour (MWh) of gas for April delivery dropped to €54, a 5 % decline from the previous day. If that level holds, consumers could see electricity prices of roughly 10-12 cents per kilowatt‑hour (kWh) including taxes and other charges.
Oil moved higher. Brent crude in the North Sea fetched $103.70 a barrel at approximately 17:00 CET on Tuesday, an increase of 3.7 % from the prior closing price.
The euro weakened against the dollar in the European currency market, trading at $1.1589 per euro, while the U.S. dollar stood at €0.8629.
