FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX): The Dax snapped its recent losing streak on Thursday, posting marginal gains. Positive momentum arrived from the U.S., where investors appeared unfazed by President Donald Trump's latest threats against Iran. Instead, significant rallies in semiconductor stocks bolstered market sentiment. The German blue-chip index closed up 0.06 percent at 24,209.71 points. The MDax, which tracks mid-cap stocks, gained 0.52 percent to reach 31,456.13 points.

This comes as the military conflict between the U.S. and Iran continues to escalate despite an official ceasefire. Trump announced heavy strikes against Iran scheduled for the night. The Republican wrote on the Truth Social platform that the U.S. would hit the country "very hard."

The European Central Bank's (ECB) interest rate hike had little impact on equity prices. With its first increase in nearly three years, the ECB is moving to counter the inflationary surge triggered by the war in Iran. Eurozone policymakers raised the deposit rate, a key benchmark for banks and savers, by 0.25 percentage points to 2.25 percent. The last rate hike in the Eurozone occurred in September 2023. Higher interest rates make credit more expensive for consumers and businesses, which can curb demand and thus dampen inflation.

"With inflation in the Eurozone exceeding three percent and little hope for a de-escalation in the Iran conflict, a rate hike is the right move at this time," said Clemens Fuest, President of the Ifo Institute. He noted that the ECB is following what markets had already priced in./la/jha/