News & Research

(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 […]

Changes were announced as part of the March regular review, which also saw the introduction of methodology changes to have the indices aligned with the new ESMA fund naming guidelines.

For US dollar-based investors, euro weakness has curbed returns from the record rally in European stocks. A strategy that systematically hedges against declines in the common currency, on the other hand, has significantly enhanced those returns. Two ETFs from Amundi allow investors access to said strategies.

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.

Changes were announced as part of the December regular review of the DAX 50 ESG, DAX 50 ESG+, DAX 30 ESG, DAX ESG Target, DAX ESG Screened, MDAX ESG+, MDAX ESG Screened and DAX indices.

The STOXX Global 1800 benchmark, up 4.6%, had its best month this year in November. Momentum stocks and digital assets were among the best performers in the aftermath of the US election.

The German blue-chip benchmark climbs to a record even amid a gloomy economic picture at home. Sales of AI and industrial parts are among drivers of corporate earnings growth for DAX component stocks.