The DAX 40 inched up to a new record high near 26,460 on Thursday, recovering from the previous session’s losses, with banks, utilities and industrials leading the advance. A pullback in oil prices, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, eased worries about potential energy supply disruptions and inflationary pressures. At the same time, investors focused on a fresh batch of corporate earnings and economic releases from both Europe and the US.
RWE was among the strongest performers, gaining more than 1% after reporting better-than-expected first-half earnings, supported by a compensation payment from the Dutch government and robust energy trading. The company also reaffirmed its 2026 dividend and long-term profit targets. Thyssenkrupp climbed as well after its adjusted EBIT rose to €183 million in the third quarter, prompting management to lift the full-year EBIT floor to €600 million from €500 million. Rheinmetall, Qiagen, Siemens Energy and MTU Aero Engines also recorded solid gains, joined by financial heavyweights Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank.