Market trends

The STOXX World AC index added 1.1% last month in US dollars but lost 4% in euros after the greenback retreated 4.8% against the common currency. While the Eurozone’s EURO STOXX 50 dropped, German benchmarks bucked the trend.

The EUR 18.9 billion attracted by the ETFs in one month compares with EUR 5.7 billion in net inflows for all of 2024. STOXX-linked ETFs attracted the most money in March, led by STOXX Europe 600 and Germany’s MDAX funds.

The STOXX World AC index dropped 3.8% last month, led by US stocks, as investors fretted about the outlook for US economic growth, inflation and international trade. The STOXX USA 500 posted its worst quarter relative to the STOXX Europe 600 in a decade.

A total of 4.3 million EURO STOXX 50 Index Dividend Options exchanged hands at Eurex last year, 11% more than in 2023 and 25% higher than in 2022.

(Updates February 27 article with inflows through March 6).  With the DAX index climbing to an all-time high and posting its best start to a year in a decade, interest in German equities is also backed up by fund flows. Net purchases of German assets ETFs listed in EMEA[1] have climbed to EUR 3.1 billion this […]

The annual event showcasing the latest developments in the listed derivatives world offered a stage to discuss equity index strategies and index-based investing. STOXX participated in several insightful panels.

The STOXX Europe 600 extended January’s strong performance to post its best start to a year since 2019. The STOXX USA 500, meanwhile, retreated over the month, dragged by large technology stocks.

Net flows into funds tracking a DAX family index outpace the broader market, amounting to EUR 1.38 billion through February 24. Of those, EUR 1 billion flowed into ETFs tracking the benchmark DAX, while MDAX and SDAX funds also reported net investments.

VDAX, the benchmark for German equity implied volatility, remains below its long-term history and lower than other regions’ volatilities.

The STOXX World AC benchmark rose 3.3% in the month after logging an 18% advance in 2024. Investors’ focus on the strength of the US economy and corporate earnings helps offset concerns about global trade and politics.

The STOXX Europe 600 Banks index climbed 26% last year, its best performance since the 34% logged in 2021. High capital ratios, stronger earnings and expectations of consolidation in the industry helped share prices.

The STOXX World AC benchmark fell 2.2% in the month but logged an 18% advance for the year, taking its gains in the past two years to 47%. The STOXX USA 500 climbed 26% in 2024, nearly three times the return of the STOXX Europe 600.