German Stocks Plummet Amid Global Economic Concerns
The DAX, Germany's key stock market index, experienced a significant decline of 3.3% to 5,952.03, marking its lowest level since June 8. This slump was triggered by concerns over China's slow economic growth and a fall in US consumer confidence. The broader HDAX Index also dropped 3.4% today, while all 30 constituent stocks of the DAX index retreated at least 4%. BASF SE and ThyssenKrupp AG led the decline, dropping 4.7% and 4% respectively.
Key Takeaways:
- The DAX index declined by 3.3% to 5,952.03, its lowest level since June 8.
- All 30 constituent stocks of the DAX index retreated at least 4%.
- BASF SE declined 4.7% to 45.29 euros, and ThyssenKrupp AG dropped 4% to 20.63 euros.
- RWE AG sank 3.2% as Morgan Stanley advised selling shares of Germany's second-largest utility.
- German stocks outperformed European peers this year, but remain 6% below their 2010 highs.
- Citigroup Inc. reported that China's exports face strong headwinds in the second half of the year due to policy-tightening measures and the European debt crisis.
- Deutsche Bank AG may suffer from planned levies on banks, which could cut its earnings per share by 4.9% in 2015.
- Neil Dwane, chief investment officer at Allianz Global Investors RCM, stated that investor confidence may be too optimistic and that the market has not priced in the arrival of a double dip.
Statistics:
- The DAX index declined by 3.3% to 5,952.03.
- The broader HDAX Index dropped 3.4% today.
- BASF SE declined 4.7% to 45.29 euros.
- ThyssenKrupp AG dropped 4% to 20.63 euros.
- Germany's largest chemical company, BASF, has a market capitalization of approximately €40 billion.
- China's leading economic index rose only 0.3% in April, down from the 1.7% gain reported on June 15.
Sources:
- Bloomberg Television
- Morgan Stanley
- Conference Board
- Citigroup Inc.
- UBS AG
- Deutsche Bank AG
- Sanford C. Bernstein
- Euclid Infotech Pvt. Ltd.
- Bloomberg News