DAX Hovers Near Record Highs

On Monday, the DAX hovered near its record highs around 25,260, bolstered by strong performances in defense stocks as investors assessed geopolitical tensions. These included unrest in Iran and apprehensions regarding the US central bank's autonomy. In a significant development, the US government has initiated an inquiry into the Federal Reserve Chair concerning the $2.5 billion refurbishment of its Washington headquarters, reflecting an unprecedented intensification of President Donald Trump's ongoing conflict with the central bank over interest rate policy. Concurrently, President Trump indicated he is contemplating "very strong" military responses in Iran, following reports from human rights organizations alleging over 500 fatalities during widespread protests across the country. Within Europe, several nations, notably Germany and the United Kingdom, are reportedly considering the establishment of a collaborative NATO mission aimed at protecting Greenland and the Arctic region.