German Stocks Tick Up Amid Quiet Pre-New Year Trade

11:58 AM EST, 12/30/2025 (MT Newswires) -- German shares gained during a shortened trading session on Tuesday, as investors wound down and closed their books ahead of the New Year break. At closing, the blue-chip DAX index was up 0.57%. It is scheduled to reopen on Friday for the first session of 2026. Market watchers continue to assess heightened geopolitical risks, including stalled peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, US President Donald Trump's latest military action warnings against Iran and China's 10-hour live-firing exercises near Taiwan. As such, defense stocks Renk Group (R3NK.F), Rheinmetall (RHM.F) and Hensoldt (HAG.F) rebounded, climbing 3.21%, 2.51% and 1.81%, respectively. Rheinmetall was one of the blue-chip index's top performers. In other corporate news, Mutares (MUX.F) agreed to sell its Italian portfolio company Conexus to Maximum Return System Group's Advance Technologies System. The sale is anticipated to be finalized in the first quarter of 2026, pending customary requirements, including approval under the Italian Golden Power regime. The German private equity holding company was down 0.84%. Airbus (AIR.F) unit Airbus Defence and Space will lead a new combat pilot training program for the Spanish Air and Space Force, replacing the existing F-5 trainer aircraft. Partnering with Turkish Aerospace, the Frankfurt-listed planemaker will oversee the acquisition of 30 HÜRJET jet trainers. Deliveries are slated to occur between 2028 and 2035. Airbus gained 0.62% at the end of the session.