-- Germany shares recovered from earlier losses on Tuesday, with the blue-chip DAX index up 1.27% at closing, amid reports that the US and Iran may return to the negotiating table.
US and Iranian negotiators may head back to Pakistan by the end of the week to resume peace talks, Reuters reported, citing sources. The potential for a second round follows a failed weekend summit, which led to Washington's subsequent decision to enforce a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
"We've lowered our world GDP growth forecast by 0.4 [percentage points] since the start of March to 2.4% because we expect a more prolonged disruption to shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz. The fragile ceasefire seemingly reduces the risk of a far worse outcome. But even if a truce is maintained, it will take time for energy production and shipping traffic to return to normal levels," Oxford Economics said.
Back at home, the International Monetary Fund trimmed its economic growth projections for Germany for 2026 and 2027, due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. In its April World Economic Outlook, the IMF said it now expects Germany's gross domestic product to increase 0.8% and 1.2% in 2026 and 2027, respectively, both figures down by 0.3 percentage point from the previous expectations.
"War in the Middle East has halted [global growth] momentum. The closing of the Strait of Hormuz and serious damage to critical facilities in a region central to global hydrocarbon supply raise the prospect of a major energy crisis should hostilities continue," the IMF said.
Meanwhile, Germany's selling prices in wholesale trade were up 4.1% year over year in March, following a 1.2% jump a month ago. Destatis attributed the reading to the conflict in the Middle East, which pushed wholesale prices of energy products and raw materials higher.
In corporate news, Deutsche Börse (DB1.F) committed $200 million for a 1.5% stake in Payward, the parent company of US-based cryptocurrency exchange Kraken. The capital injection reinforces an ongoing strategic partnership, further integrating both firms' infrastructure across trading, custody, settlement, and tokenized assets. The German stock exchange operator was off 0.39% at the end of the trading day.
In an earnings preview, Deutsche Bank forecasts a "solid start" for Mercedes-Benz's (MBG.F) vans segment, while the cars unit is projected to "likely reach" the lower half of its full-year guidance during the first quarter. The German automotive group is due to release its first-quarter results on April 29. The stock closed 1.94% higher.