The DAX index experienced a moderate decline on Tuesday, following a sluggish start. By 12:30 pm, the index was calculated at around 20,957 points, a 0.2% decrease from the previous trading day. The top performers in the index were Siemens Healthineers, Siemens Energy, and Sartorius, while the stocks of BMW and FMC ended the day at the lower end of the list.
Market analysts, such as Andreas Lipkow, observed a cautious but not panicked response from investors, with a focus on defensive sectors in the DAX 40. “The tariffs issue is far from being resolved and is likely to remain a long-term concern” Lipkow said. “The new US policy’s ‘carrot and stick’ approach will make it challenging for the EU to respond adequately, particularly for the recently sought-after auto stocks, which may be exposed to increased volatility.”
Meanwhile, the euro was weaker against the US dollar, with one euro equivalent to 1.0346 US dollars, and one US dollar to 0.9666 euros. The price of Brent crude oil also declined, with a barrel of the North Sea variety trading at 78.80 US dollars by 12 pm German time, a 1.7% or 135-cent decrease from the previous day’s close. The decline is attributed to the oil production plans announced by US President Donald Trump.