German stocks break free from the economy - GS
STOXX 600 up 0.2%
UniCredit buys Commerzbank stake
Mining stocks bounce
Wall St futures edge lower
Welcome to the home for real-time coverage of markets brought to you by Reuters reporters. You can share your thoughts with us at markets.research@thomsonreuters.com
GERMAN STOCKS BREAK FREE FROM THE ECONOMY - GS
As a crossroads of global issues, the German economy is bobbing around in the doldrums with the manufacturing industry struggling to raise its head, but its equity market has been largely immune to the growth slowdown so far.
The main German share index DAX .GDAXI has been gaining around 9% year-to-date, outperforming the pan-European STOXX 600 .STOXX, which has risen 6% since the beginning of 2024.
On the other hand, the German economy contracted in the second quarter, sparking fears of another recession. What's behind this gap?
The DAX has been resilient because it is not really tied to the German economy, Goldman Sachs strategists said in a note, adding that less than one-fifth of its sales are made in Germany.
In contrast, mid .MDAXI and small .SDAXI cap companies have underperformed, down around 7% and 4%, respectively, as they are more exposed to the domestic economy.
Moreover, similarly to what is happening on Wall Street, there's a high concentration of earnings in few stocks.
If the DAX kept outperforming, it was due to the performance of the 'Magnificent 7', said GS, pointing to Allianz ALVG.DE, Deutsche Telekom DTEGn.DE, Merck MRCG.DE, Munich Re MUVGn.DE, Rheinmetall RHMG.DE, SAP SAPG.DE and Siemens Energy ENR1n.DE.
"Together they are up 31% and (...) combine a mix of restructuring stories, pricing power, and a focus on shareholder return (with new buyback programs)", said GS.
The uncertainty around China and the U.S. election might prevent flows into the DAX, but these analysts believe that the pessimism around Germany is unlikely to go too far.
"Some of the recent challenges reflect cyclical and thus temporary factors. Germany has very strong public finances", they said.
Given the room for more optimism, what would we need to see to achieve higher returns? Lower interest rates, a recovery in the global manufacturing cycle and world trade, lower and stable gas prices, and a turn in sentiment on China.
(Matteo Allievi)
*****
FOR WEDNESDAY'S OTHER LIVE MARKETS POSTS
MINING AND RETAIL LIFT STOXX CLICK HERE
STOXX EYES STRONG START CLICK HERE
MARKETS TRY TO SHAKE IT OFF AFTER US PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE CLICK HERE
European indexes YTD performance https://tmsnrt.rs/4d0jY6j
Related Assets
Latest News
Disclaimer: The XM Group entities provide execution-only service and access to our Online Trading Facility, permitting a person to view and/or use the content available on or via the website, is not intended to change or expand on this, nor does it change or expand on this. Such access and use are always subject to: (i) Terms and Conditions; (ii) Risk Warnings; and (iii) Full Disclaimer. Such content is therefore provided as no more than general information. Particularly, please be aware that the contents of our Online Trading Facility are neither a solicitation, nor an offer to enter any transactions on the financial markets. Trading on any financial market involves a significant level of risk to your capital.
All material published on our Online Trading Facility is intended for educational/informational purposes only, and does not contain – nor should it be considered as containing – financial, investment tax or trading advice and recommendations; or a record of our trading prices; or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instruments; or unsolicited financial promotions to you.
Any third-party content, as well as content prepared by XM, such as: opinions, news, research, analyses, prices and other information or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an “as-is” basis, as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, it would be considered as marketing communication under the relevant laws and regulations. Please ensure that you have read and understood our Notification on Non-Independent Investment. Research and Risk Warning concerning the foregoing information, which can be accessed here.
