Benchmarks

Stocks rose in April following better-than-expected economic and earnings reports, and amid signs that inflation in key regions continues to cool.

The STOXX Global 1800 index rose 3% in dollars and only 0.6% in euros in March. The Fed on March 22 increased its key borrowing rate by 25 basis points to the highest since 2007, but removed from a statement previous references to the need for “ongoing” rate rises.

Stocks rose in March, rebounding from losses in the month’s first half, as investors raised expectations the Federal Reserve may soon pause its interest rate hikes following the collapse of three lenders in the US.

The recent collapse of several banks has sparked fears of a 2011-style “doom loop,” in which losses in the financial sector spread to the wider economy. So far, contagion has been limited, but a further deterioration in credit quality could result in drawdowns across all sectors.

Qontigo has licensed the global STOXX ESG Länder PAB Index family to four German federal states. PAB (Paris-aligned Benchmark) stands for the most ambitious EU regulation regarding fossil exclusion criteria and greenhouse gas decarbonization for index providers.

The modular STOXX World indices allow investors to flexibly build portfolios covering a broad and liquid universe of stocks, slicing and dicing the world’s equity markets along regions, countries, market capitalization and sectors.

Changes were announced as part of the March regular review of the DAX 50 ESG, DAX 50 ESG+, DAX ESG Target, DAX ESG Screened and DAX indices.

Qontigo has announced the new composition of the DAX index family, which will become effective on 20 March 2023. DAX, MDAX, SDAX and TecDAX represent the largest companies on the Regulated Market of Frankfurt Stock Exchange; they are reviewed every three months.

The STOXX Global 1800 index fell 2.3% in dollars but climbed 0.1% in euros in February. Better-than-expected US economic reports in the month raised concerns that the Federal Reserve will hike interest rates further and for longer.

US and Asian stocks fell in February, as better-than-expected economic reports in the US signaled the Federal Reserve has room to continue raising interest rates. European shares climbed when measured in euros.

Qontigo has announced the new composition of the STOXX Europe 600 Index. Effective as of the opening of European markets on March 20, 2023, these stocks will be added to and deleted from the index and its respective size and sector indices.