Frankfurt’s DAX 40 fell 1.5% to around 22,950 on Thursday, reversing yesterday’s sharp gain, as hopes of a quick resolution of the Middle East conflict faded. In his first national address since the Iran war began, Donald Trump gave no timeline for ending the conflict and offered no plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while pledging further strikes on energy facilities if Tehran rejects a deal. His rhetoric triggered a sharp rise in oil prices, reigniting fears of rising inflation and slowing economic growth. Selling pressure spread across most sectors, with technology, financials, and industrials leading the declines. In equities, Infineon (-4.8%), Siemens Energy (-4.2%), Heidelberg Materials (-2.9%), Siemens (-2.8%), Airbus (-2.6%) and MTU Aero Engines (-2.5%) were among the top losers. Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank dropped 3.5% and 2.3%, respectively.
