German DAX Rises; Euro Area Industrial Production Ticks Down

11:50 AM EDT, 10/15/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Germany's blue-chip DAX index gained 0.27% at the end of Thursday's session, as investors assessed fresh euro area industrial output data impacted by the sustained conflict in the Middle East. Eurostat data showed a 0.5% monthly decrease in the eurozone's industrial production in August, compared with a revised 0.3% fall previously and expected zero growth. The downbeat reading reflects decreased production for intermediate goods, energy, and non-durable consumer goods. On a yearly basis, the eurozone's industrial production fell 1.1%, against the revised 0.3% decline earlier and the expected 0.1% downtick. "For the third month in a row, industrial production declined in the eurozone. While manufacturers remain upbeat about output, production data paints a less rosy picture. Industry may not be immune to higher energy prices and global uncertainty after all," ING said in a quick take note. On the geopolitical front, European Union leaders gather in Brussels to weigh potential trade measures against China alongside key defense and international issues. The ongoing meeting in Europe follows the latest round of negotiations between the bloc and China to address trade imbalances. Meanwhile, an EU-Gulf Cooperation Council summit initially scheduled for Oct. 24 in Saudi Arabia was postponed indefinitely due to the ongoing security threat posed by the Iran-aligned Houthis. On the corporate side, Symrise (SY1.F) is expanding its India operations with a new investment in production capacity for Globalide, a biodegradable macrocyclic musk ingredient. The move is intended to bolster its specialty fragrance footprint while scaling its Aroma Molecules business in an "attractive" product segment. The German chemicals company was 2.50% in the green at the end of the trading day. Meanwhile, RBC Capital Markets started its coverage of DHL (DHL.F) at outperform, with a price target of 67 euros, highlighting the strength of its DHL Express business. "We are encouraged by current momentum in DHL Express (in 'Weight per Day' and earnings growth). Longer term, we expect earnings growth in Express to outpace consensus forecasts, in a constructive market. By FY28E/ FY30E our DHL group EBIT forecasts are ~4%/ ~8% above consensus, driven by DHL Express EBIT forecasts ~9%/ 13% ahead. DHL trades on a discount to peers on various metrics, and its changing business mix should be supportive of valuation," the research firm wrote. The German logistics group climbed 1.73%.