FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - Ongoing fighting in the Middle East continued to weigh on global stock markets on Tuesday. Losses in Asia-Pacific equity markets were followed by renewed declines across European exchanges. Falling prices are also being forecast for Wall Street and the Nasdaq. Rising oil and natural gas prices are fueling fears about the economy and inflation. Much now depends on how long the war will last.
The DAX dropped by 2.2 percent, falling to 24,102 points, its lowest level since mid-December 2025. The MDAX of mid-cap stocks lost 1.8 percent to 30,302 points, narrowly avoiding a slip below the 30,000 mark. The Eurozone blue-chip index EuroStoxx 50 shed just over two percent.
Investors remain concerned about a potential energy crisis. The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil and gas, plays a central role in these fears. "The longer the interventions persist and the more attacks spread to other countries in the region, the greater the risk of a truly disruptive event for capital markets," wrote analysts at NordLB. Commerzbank also pointed to renewed inflation risks in light of rising oil prices.
In the DAX, shares of Beiersdorf plunged 13 percent to their lowest level since December. The consumer goods group expects only minimal growth for the current year. Analysts criticized weak forecasts from the Hamburg-based company for both the first quarter and the full year.
Shares of Deutsche Börse were among the few winners in the DAX, rising 2.2 percent. Two investment banks recommended buying the stock as a potential beneficiary of the strong market volatility.
Kion shares were the weakest performer in the MDAX, falling 4.5 percent. Bank Exane BNP withdrew its buy recommendation for the logistics technology manufacturer's stock.
Schaeffler shares slumped nearly 17 percent after disappointing targets for the current year. In 2025, significant special charges from the group restructuring and job cuts once again resulted in losses.
SMA Solar shares surged by 9 percent. Although analysts criticized the company's cautious profit outlook for the current year, investment bank Jefferies upgraded the stock to "Buy"./bek/mis
