DAX falls 0.3 percent at midday as ZEW misses forecast
Published on 10/20/2026 at 13:15 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSZEW sentiment and stock moves
- DAX stood at 25,144 points at 12:22 p.m. CEST, down 69 points or 0.3 percent.
- ZEW economic sentiment fell to 28.1 points from 34.7, below the 30-point forecast.
- Siemens was the biggest loser, down 3.1 percent in L&S trading.
- U.S. housing starts are due at 2:30 p.m. CEST, with 1.30 million expected.
The DAX was down 69 points, or 0.3 percent, at 25,144 points at 12:22 p.m. CEST on October 20, 2026. German investor sentiment weakened more than expected, while high energy costs continued to weigh on the outlook, Reuters reports.
Siemens was the weakest major mover, down 3.1 percent in L&S trading. A market analysis linked the decline to broader equity weakness and a break below its 200-day average, Stockstreet reports.
Why is the DAX down today?
The ZEW economic sentiment index fell to 28.1 points in October from 34.7 in September. It missed the 30-point forecast and ended a five-month run of gains, Reuters reports.
The current-conditions measure improved to minus 35.9 points from minus 47.1. The survey said elevated energy prices were hurting household purchasing power and raising production costs.
Brent crude was near USD 110 per barrel, while investors also watched elevated bond yields and concerns about returns on artificial-intelligence investment, XTB reports.
Top and flop in the DAX on Tuesday
At 12:15 p.m. CEST, the L&S rankings showed these leading and lagging DAX stocks, BX Swiss reports:
- Volkswagen up 0.6 percent
- SAP up 0.4 percent
- Siemens Energy down 2.0 percent
- Siemens down 3.1 percent
DAX stays below the Tuesday open
The index opened at 25,220 points after Monday's close at 25,320 points. The opening level was 0.4 percent below the previous session, finanzen.ch reports.
The earlier decline followed a 1.2 percent DAX loss on Monday. Rising yields, French fiscal concerns and geopolitical risks also shaped the European market backdrop, Saxo Bank reports.
What comes next for the DAX
- October 20, 2026, 2:30 p.m. CEST: U.S. housing starts are expected at 1.30 million, after 1.275 million.
- October 20, 2026, 4:00 p.m. CEST: U.S. pending home sales are expected to be unchanged, after a 0.3 percent gain.
The calendar figures and release times are listed by ActionForex.
DAX price data for October 20, 2026
The DAX L&S indication stood at 25,144 points at 12:22 p.m. CEST, down 69 points from the previous close of 25,213 points. That equals a decline of 0.3 percent. The index opened at 25,220 points.
DAX by the numbers on October 20, 2026
- Index: DAX
- Home exchange: Xetra, Germany
- Level at 12:22 p.m. CEST on October 20, 2026: 25,144 points
- Change versus previous close of October 19, 2026: down 69 points (down 0.3 percent)
- Previous close: 25,213 points
- Open: 25,220 points
- L&S indication (12:22 p.m. CEST): 25,144 points
- Top gainer: Volkswagen up 0.6 percent
- Top loser: Siemens down 3.1 percent
- Next scheduled event: October 20, 2026, 2:30 p.m. CEST: U.S. housing starts
