Germany’s stock market gained traction in Monday’s afternoon session, with the DAX 40 advancing 0.8% to around 23,630 points as investors reacted to positive corporate news and reassessed the likelihood of a prolonged energy shock to the economy. Commerzbank jumped more than 7% after reports that UniCredit had submitted a bid for a 30% stake in the German lender. Bayer shares rose about 4.7% following a buy recommendation from UBS. Defense contractor Rheinmetall added 2.9%, supported by sector-wide gains after US President Donald Trump called for keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. Over the weekend, several tankers carrying liquefied petroleum gas transited the key shipping lane, indicating that Iran may still permit some energy exports to allied countries, even as Israeli officials cautioned that the conflict could continue for “several more long weeks.” Investors are also looking ahead to upcoming policy meetings at the ECB and the Federal Reserve, where both central banks are widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged.