Germany's main share indices finished higher on Thursday, with the blue-chip DAX rallying 1.33% by the close in Frankfurt. Mid-cap and technology-focused benchmarks outperformed, as the MDAX climbed 1.95% and the TecDAX advanced 1.92%.
Sector leadership on the day came from Transportation & Logistics, Technology and Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare, which together underpinned the broader advance across the domestic market.
Top movers on the DAX
- Deutsche Post AG NA O.N. (ETR:DHLn) was the session's strongest DAX constituent, jumping 7.51% - a 3.52-point increase - to finish at 50.38.
- Bayer AG NA (ETR:BAYGN) added 4.39%, or 1.60 points, to close at 38.05.
- Brenntag AG (ETR:BNRGn) rose 3.95%, gaining 2.36 points to end the day at 62.08.
Lagging names on the DAX
- Munich Reinsurance (ETR:MUVGn) was the weakest DAX stock, losing 3.00% - a decline of 15.80 points - to trade at 510.80 at the close.
- GEA Group AG (ETR:G1AG) fell 1.44%, or 0.85 points, to end at 58.35.
- Scout24 AG (ETR:G24n) slipped 1.39%, down 1.00 point to 71.00.
MDAX movers
- Delivery Hero AG (ETR:DHER) led the MDAX with a 7.08% gain, finishing at 20.49.
- Puma SE (ETR:PUMG) rose 5.27% to settle at 25.98.
- Aixtron SE (ETR:AIXGn) gained 5.12% to close at 46.98.
MDAX decliners
- RTL Group SA (ETR:RRTL) declined 13.59% to 32.75 in late trade.
- flatexDEGIRO AG (ETR:FTKn) lost 3.48%, settling at 30.48.
- Fuchs Se Pref (ETR:FPE3_p) fell 2.95% to close at 40.18.
TecDAX movers
- SUSS MicroTec SE (ETR:SMHNn) was the top TecDAX performer, jumping 9.40% to 76.20.
- Siltronic AG (ETR:WAFGn) advanced 6.27% to settle at 79.70.
- Aixtron SE (ETR:AIXGn) again featured among leaders in the TecDAX with a 5.12% gain to 46.98.
TecDAX decliners
- Atoss Software AG (ETR:AOFG) fell 3.18% to 79.20 in late trade.
- Nagarro SE (ETR:NA9n) lost 2.07% to finish at 43.50.
- IONOS Group SE (ETR:IOSn) slipped 1.73% to close at 26.10.
Advancers outnumbered decliners on the Frankfurt exchange, with 424 stocks rising versus 205 falling, while 19 shares finished unchanged.
Several stocks reached notable highs during the session. Aixtron SE (ETR:AIXGn) moved to an all-time high, rising 5.12% (2.29 points) to close at 46.98. SUSS MicroTec SE (ETR:SMHNn) also hit an all-time high, up 9.40% (6.55 points) to 76.20. Siltronic AG (ETR:WAFGn) climbed to a 52-week high, gaining 6.27% (4.70 points) to end at 79.70.
The DAX volatility index, which reflects implied volatility on DAX options, moved lower by 2.11% to 22.99.
Commodities and FX
- Gold futures for June delivery rose 1.46%, gaining 66.54 to trade at 4,628.04 per troy ounce.
- Crude oil for June delivery fell 2.40%, a drop of 2.57, to $104.31 a barrel.
- The July Brent contract declined 0.65%, down 0.72 to $109.72 a barrel.
In currency markets, the euro strengthened versus the dollar, with EUR/USD up 0.51% to 1.17. EUR/GBP was essentially unchanged, moving 0.35% to 0.86. The US Dollar Index Futures fell 0.85%, trading at 97.99.
Thursday's session closed with broad participation across sectors, measurable gains in index volatility and distinct moves in commodities and FX that accompanied the equity rally.