German Stocks Edge Higher Ahead of ECB Rate Decision

12:00 PM EST, 12/15/2025 (MT Newswires) -- German shares were in the green on Monday, as investors await the European Central Bank's closely watched monetary policy decision later in the week. At closing, the blue-chip DAX index was 0.18% higher. "We expect no change in policy rates and only fine-tuning of communication. [ECB President Christine Lagarde] is likely to reiterate that the central bank is in a good place and that recent developments, if anything, confirm the resilience of the economy. We expect her to insist on no pre-commitments and maintaining a meeting-by-meeting approach," BofA Global Research said in a preview report ahead of the ECB's announcement on Thursday. In other European economic news, Eurostat data showed an as-expected 0.8% monthly increase in the euro area's industrial production for October, following a 0.2% gain in the previous month. The upbeat reading reflects higher production in intermediate goods, energy, capital goods, along with durable and non-durable consumer goods. On a yearly basis, the eurozone's industrial production climbed 2%, up from the previous month's 1.2% increase and the market forecast of a 1.9% growth. Back at home, Germany's selling prices in wholesale trade were up 1.5% year over year in November, accelerating from the 1.1% increase in October. Destatis attributed the reading to higher prices for food, beverages and tobacco, alongside an increase in prices for non-ferrous ores, non-ferrous metals and non-ferrous semi-finished metal products. On the corporate side, Deutsche Bank Research raised its price target for TKMS (TKMS.F) to 82 euros from 80 euros, with an unchanged buy rating, after the German naval platform and equipment provider's fiscal 2025 earnings. TKMS ended the trading session 4.25% lower. "Following FY25 results, we are increasingly optimistic over TKMS's mid-term margin progression potential. While the final outcomes on key orders are anticipated in 2026, we maintain our conviction in the long-term revenue growth opportunity, albeit with a likely back-end loaded profile. We have adjusted our revenue growth trajectory accordingly, boosted EBIT forecasts and have rolled forward our valuation to 2028," the research firm wrote. Continental AG (CON.F) was off 0.24%, after securing reelection as co-chair of the Tire Industry Project, an international sustainability program of 10 tire companies. The German auto parts supplier extends its term until 2029.