Frankfurt’s DAX 40 was little changed at 24,240 points on Wednesday, hovering near its lowest level since October 1, as investors weighed optimism over potential US interest rate cuts against renewed tensions in the US–China trade conflict. Fed Chair Powell highlighted the ongoing deterioration in the US labor market outlook on Tuesday, bolstering expectations of another rate cut before the end of the month. Among individual stocks, BASF rose nearly 2% after Citigroup reinstated coverage with a “Buy” rating. Adidas gained over 1%, as stronger-than-expected sales from LVMH hinted that the slump in luxury demand may be easing. Infineon added 0.6% after semiconductor giant ASML reported robust Q3 sales and forecast a strong Q4, though it cautioned about challenges ahead in 2026. Rheinmetall dropped over 2% amid NATO talks on boosting defense, with US Secretary of Defense Hegseth expected to push for increased funding of the PURL initiative, aimed at selling US arms to European partners.
