Overview
- An EY study released Friday reports DAX revenue down 0.6% in 2025 and profit down about 4%, with fourth‑quarter revenue off 3.3% and operating profit down 14%.
- Sales fell 9% in Asia and 4% in North America, while Europe grew 3%, signaling weaker demand in key export markets outside the region.
- Financial firms booked a record €46.4 billion profit in 2025, as earnings across the rest of the index dropped about 11%.
- Automakers were the main drag with roughly 4% lower sales, while defence-linked groups Rheinmetall and MTU Aero Engines grew 29% and 18%.
- DAX companies cut about 32,000 jobs last year, taking headcount to 3.95 million, and EY says margins have thinned with little sign of a near‑term turnaround.