European Equity Markets Decline Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 02 2026
0mins
Should l Buy GF?
Source: seekingalpha
- Market Pullback: European equity markets experienced a decline at the start of March due to escalating tensions with Iran, leading to a cautious investor sentiment as the Stoxx 600 index fell by 1.73%, indicating a broad sell-off from last week's record highs.
- Surge in Energy Prices: While most sectors declined, the oil and gas sector saw a sharp increase in prices due to the conflict, exacerbating inflationary pressures across Europe and raising concerns about future economic growth.
- Germany's Retail Sales Data: Germany's retail sales shrank by 0.9% month-on-month in January, missing market expectations for a milder 0.2% drop, indicating weak consumer spending that could hinder future economic recovery.
- UK House Price Index Rise: The UK Nationwide House Price Index rose by 1% year-on-year in February 2026, exceeding expectations of a 0.7% increase, suggesting a resilient housing market that may provide some support to the economy.
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Analyst Views on GF
Wall Street analysts forecast GF stock price to rise
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About GF
The New Germany Fund, Inc. (the Fund) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation primarily through investment in middle-market German equities. The focus of the Fund's investments lies within Germany. Under normal market conditions at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets are invested in equity or equity-linked securities. The Fund invests in range of sectors, which include aerospace and defense; auto components; automobiles; banks; building products; chemicals; electrical equipment; independent power and renewable electricity producers; insurance; Internet and direct marketing retail; information technology (IT) services, life sciences tools and services; metals and mining; real estate management and development; software; textiles, apparel and luxury goods; trading companies and distributors; diversified financial services; commercial services and supplies, and others. The Fund's investment advisor is DWS International GmbH.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Positive European Economic Data, Germany Records Trade Surplus at 20-Month High
- Germany's Trade Surplus: Germany recorded a trade surplus in January, with exports reaching a 20-month high, indicating a robust economic recovery that could further boost growth in the Eurozone.
- France's Narrowing Trade Deficit: France's trade deficit narrowed in January, suggesting an improvement in its competitiveness in global markets, which may have positive implications for future fiscal policies.
- Sweden's Economic Data: Household spending in Sweden increased by 0.7% month-over-month in January, despite a 1.1% contraction in the economy for the same month, while industrial production rose by 1.9% year-over-year, demonstrating economic resilience.
- Positive Market Reaction: The pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose by 1.79%, reflecting market optimism over a potential resolution to the conflict with Iran, with all sectors performing well, particularly technology and financial stocks.
See More
Germany's Exports Surge to 20-Month High
- Significant Export Growth: Germany's exports reached €133.3 billion in December 2025, marking a 4.0% month-over-month increase and hitting a 20-month high, significantly surpassing the forecasted 1.0% growth, indicating a robust economic recovery.
- Strong Import Performance: Imports also rose by 1.4% month-over-month to €116.1 billion, exceeding market expectations of 0.2% and accelerating from a slightly revised 0.7% gain in the previous month, reflecting a rebound in domestic demand.
- Widening Trade Surplus: In January 2026, Germany recorded a trade surplus of €21.20 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of €15.2 billion, showcasing strong export performance and stable imports, which support economic growth.
- Economic Growth Slowdown: Despite the positive export and import figures, the Eurozone economy grew only 0.2% in Q4 2025, highlighting challenges in the overall economic environment that may impact future trade performance.
See More
Global Markets Slide as Oil Prices Surge to Four-Year High
- Pound Decline: The British pound fell to a three-month low of $1.33 on Monday, extending last week's losses, primarily driven by a stronger US dollar and political pressures in the UK, which may lead to decreased investor confidence.
- German Factory Orders Plummet: Germany's factory orders slumped 11.1% month-over-month in January, far worse than the market's expectation of a 4.3% decline, indicating signs of economic slowdown that could impact future production and employment.
- Oil Price Surge: Oil prices surged past $100 a barrel for the first time since 2022 due to major Middle Eastern producers curtailing output, potentially exacerbating global inflationary pressures and affecting economic growth outlooks.
- Increased Market Volatility: The volatility index (VIX) jumped to 34.40, the highest level seen in about 11 months, reflecting market concerns over escalating Middle East conflicts and their potential impact on global economic conditions, prompting investors to reassess interest rate outlooks.
See More
Euro Area GDP Growth Misses Expectations
- Quarterly GDP Growth: Euro Area GDP expanded by 0.20% in Q4 2025 compared to the previous quarter, falling short of the 0.3% estimate, indicating a sluggish economic recovery that may dampen investor confidence.
- Annual GDP Performance: The Euro Area's GDP grew by 1.2% year-over-year in Q4, missing the consensus of 1.3%, reflecting challenges in economic growth that could lead the ECB to adopt a more cautious monetary policy stance.
- Long-term Growth Trend: In 2025, the EU's real GDP increased by 1.5%, an improvement from 1.1% in 2024, suggesting a gradual economic recovery, though external risk factors remain a concern.
- Market Reaction: As Euro Area inflation cools significantly, the EUR/USD exchange rate hovers around 1.1800, complicating market expectations for future monetary policy and potentially influencing investor decisions.
See More
UK House Prices Rise 1.3%, European Market Sentiment Improves
- UK House Price Increase: The Halifax House Price Index reported a 1.3% year-over-year increase in UK house prices for February, indicating resilience in the housing market despite economic challenges, which may attract more investor interest.
- European Market Recovery: The pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose by 0.25% to 606.4, primarily driven by a pause in the recent energy market rally, which improved investor sentiment and reflects optimism about future economic recovery.
- Swiss Foreign Reserves Decline: The Swiss National Bank's foreign exchange reserves fell to CHF 710 billion in February, highlighting the potential impact of global economic uncertainty on Switzerland's financial stability, which may prompt investors to reassess their asset allocations.
- Bond Yields Slightly Rise: The UK's 10-year Treasury yield increased by 2 basis points to 4.56%, with Germany and the U.S. also seeing slight upticks in their 10-year yields, indicating market focus on future interest rate trends that could influence investors' bond investment strategies.
See More
European Economic Data and Market Dynamics
- Retail Sales Growth: Hungary's retail sales rose 3.5% year-on-year in January, indicating a rebound in consumer spending that could support the country's economic recovery and enhance market confidence.
- Stable Unemployment Rate: Switzerland's non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3.2% in February, suggesting a stable labor market that contributes to sustainable economic growth and attracts investor interest.
- Slight Industrial Production Increase: France's industrial production rose 0.5% month-on-month in January, reflecting a moderate recovery in manufacturing that could positively impact overall economic growth and elevate market expectations.
- Inflation Rate Unchanged: Sweden's annual inflation rate remained at 0.5% in February, indicating price stability that may support the central bank's monetary policy and influence future interest rate decisions.
See More
Positive European Economic Data, Germany Records Trade Surplus at 20-Month High
- Germany's Trade Surplus: Germany recorded a trade surplus in January, with exports reaching a 20-month high, indicating a robust economic recovery that could further boost growth in the Eurozone.
- France's Narrowing Trade Deficit: France's trade deficit narrowed in January, suggesting an improvement in its competitiveness in global markets, which may have positive implications for future fiscal policies.
- Sweden's Economic Data: Household spending in Sweden increased by 0.7% month-over-month in January, despite a 1.1% contraction in the economy for the same month, while industrial production rose by 1.9% year-over-year, demonstrating economic resilience.
- Positive Market Reaction: The pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose by 1.79%, reflecting market optimism over a potential resolution to the conflict with Iran, with all sectors performing well, particularly technology and financial stocks.
See More
Germany's Exports Surge to 20-Month High
- Significant Export Growth: Germany's exports reached €133.3 billion in December 2025, marking a 4.0% month-over-month increase and hitting a 20-month high, significantly surpassing the forecasted 1.0% growth, indicating a robust economic recovery.
- Strong Import Performance: Imports also rose by 1.4% month-over-month to €116.1 billion, exceeding market expectations of 0.2% and accelerating from a slightly revised 0.7% gain in the previous month, reflecting a rebound in domestic demand.
- Widening Trade Surplus: In January 2026, Germany recorded a trade surplus of €21.20 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of €15.2 billion, showcasing strong export performance and stable imports, which support economic growth.
- Economic Growth Slowdown: Despite the positive export and import figures, the Eurozone economy grew only 0.2% in Q4 2025, highlighting challenges in the overall economic environment that may impact future trade performance.
See More
Global Markets Slide as Oil Prices Surge to Four-Year High
- Pound Decline: The British pound fell to a three-month low of $1.33 on Monday, extending last week's losses, primarily driven by a stronger US dollar and political pressures in the UK, which may lead to decreased investor confidence.
- German Factory Orders Plummet: Germany's factory orders slumped 11.1% month-over-month in January, far worse than the market's expectation of a 4.3% decline, indicating signs of economic slowdown that could impact future production and employment.
- Oil Price Surge: Oil prices surged past $100 a barrel for the first time since 2022 due to major Middle Eastern producers curtailing output, potentially exacerbating global inflationary pressures and affecting economic growth outlooks.
- Increased Market Volatility: The volatility index (VIX) jumped to 34.40, the highest level seen in about 11 months, reflecting market concerns over escalating Middle East conflicts and their potential impact on global economic conditions, prompting investors to reassess interest rate outlooks.
See More
Euro Area GDP Growth Misses Expectations
- Quarterly GDP Growth: Euro Area GDP expanded by 0.20% in Q4 2025 compared to the previous quarter, falling short of the 0.3% estimate, indicating a sluggish economic recovery that may dampen investor confidence.
- Annual GDP Performance: The Euro Area's GDP grew by 1.2% year-over-year in Q4, missing the consensus of 1.3%, reflecting challenges in economic growth that could lead the ECB to adopt a more cautious monetary policy stance.
- Long-term Growth Trend: In 2025, the EU's real GDP increased by 1.5%, an improvement from 1.1% in 2024, suggesting a gradual economic recovery, though external risk factors remain a concern.
- Market Reaction: As Euro Area inflation cools significantly, the EUR/USD exchange rate hovers around 1.1800, complicating market expectations for future monetary policy and potentially influencing investor decisions.
See More
UK House Prices Rise 1.3%, European Market Sentiment Improves
- UK House Price Increase: The Halifax House Price Index reported a 1.3% year-over-year increase in UK house prices for February, indicating resilience in the housing market despite economic challenges, which may attract more investor interest.
- European Market Recovery: The pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose by 0.25% to 606.4, primarily driven by a pause in the recent energy market rally, which improved investor sentiment and reflects optimism about future economic recovery.
- Swiss Foreign Reserves Decline: The Swiss National Bank's foreign exchange reserves fell to CHF 710 billion in February, highlighting the potential impact of global economic uncertainty on Switzerland's financial stability, which may prompt investors to reassess their asset allocations.
- Bond Yields Slightly Rise: The UK's 10-year Treasury yield increased by 2 basis points to 4.56%, with Germany and the U.S. also seeing slight upticks in their 10-year yields, indicating market focus on future interest rate trends that could influence investors' bond investment strategies.
See More
European Economic Data and Market Dynamics
- Retail Sales Growth: Hungary's retail sales rose 3.5% year-on-year in January, indicating a rebound in consumer spending that could support the country's economic recovery and enhance market confidence.
- Stable Unemployment Rate: Switzerland's non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3.2% in February, suggesting a stable labor market that contributes to sustainable economic growth and attracts investor interest.
- Slight Industrial Production Increase: France's industrial production rose 0.5% month-on-month in January, reflecting a moderate recovery in manufacturing that could positively impact overall economic growth and elevate market expectations.
- Inflation Rate Unchanged: Sweden's annual inflation rate remained at 0.5% in February, indicating price stability that may support the central bank's monetary policy and influence future interest rate decisions.
See More
