Germany DAX 40 Index: A Brief Overview

The Germany DAX 40 Index, or simply DAX, keeps a close watch on the 40 biggest German companies based on their value and how easily their stocks can be traded. Until 2021, it was DAX 30, with only 30 companies on its roster.

The Germany DAX started back in 1988 with a starting point of 1,000, and since then, it’s been advancing and reflecting Germany’s economic vitality.

Here’s an overview of the Germany DAX 40 index:

The Germany DAX 40 Index is like the VIP list for the top dogs in the German economy. It monitors the 40 mightiest German companies, all ranked by how much they're worth and how smoothly their stocks can be turned into cold, hard cash.

They call it DAX for short, which stands for Deutscher Aktien Index.

2021 was a turning point for the index, where it changed from DAX 30 to DAX 40. That's when ten more companies joined the index club. More sectors came under the spotlight, along with some extra rulebook pages.

A Brief History of the Germany DAX 40 Index

On 1 July 1988, the DAX made its debut in the financial spotlight, starting at a level of 1,163.52 points. At that time it was calculated every 60 seconds, which was a major game-changer. Before that, in the pre-1980s era, investors had to wait for the trading to close for index updates, and to make matters more puzzling, not everyone agreed on the same prices.

Fast forward to the late ‘90s and early 2000s, the DAX really flexed its muscles, skyrocketing a whopping 300% in just five years, reaching a record-breaking peak of 8,000.

Then came the 2008 global financial rollercoaster, pulling the DAX right down. With a few dips and turns, it bounced back, weathering the storm of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.

That year witnessed some significant losses in the German trading market. The DAX was soaring high before the pandemic hit, sending it from a high-flying 13,615 to a jarring 8,441 in just four weeks. That's a jaw-dropping 38% drop!

Now, according to Trading Economics, the Germany DAX 40 Index is expected to trade at 15399.95 by the end of the quarter.

4 Random Facts About the Germany DAX 40 Index

#1: In 1995, privatizing Deutsche Bundespost birthed three giants: Deutsche Post AG, Postbank AG, and Deutsche Telekom AG.

#2: It's not all smooth sailing. In 2002, the DAX faced its toughest year, plummeting a whopping 44%.

#3: The shining stars of the Dax 40 are Bayer AG, Daimler AG, Deutsche Bank AG, HeidelbergCement AG, SAP SE, Volkswagen AG, Covestro AG, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Linde AG, and Infineon Technologies AG.

#4: The OGs that are still on the Dax 40 are Allianz, BASF, Bayer, BMW, Daimler, Deutsche Bank, E.ON, Henkel, RWE, Siemens, and Volkswagen.

In the world of finance, the Germany DAX 40 Index stands tall, reflecting the nation's economic pulse. Its journey, marked by growth, setbacks, and adaptations, underscores its role as a vital compass for investors. With a dynamic history and ongoing influence, the DAX remains an essential gauge of Germany's financial status.