German Stocks Fall; BMW, Hochtief Shares Drop as Deutsche Boerse Advances: hypo venture capital zurich switzerland

Daimler AG (DAI) and Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW), the world’s largest makers of luxury cars, dropped more than 2 percent as Credit Suisse Group AG downgraded the industry. Hochtief AG (HOT) plunged 9.5 percent as the builder said profit may fall about 50 percent this year. Deutsche Boerse AG (DB1) rose 0.9 percent after the NYSE Euronext board unanimously rejected a rival approach from Nasdaq OMX Group Inc. and IntercontinentalExchange Inc
The benchmark DAX Index (DAX) slipped 0.2 percent to 7,204.86 at the 5:30 p.m. close in Frankfurt, retreated from a one-month high. The gauge has climbed 11 percent from this year’s low on March 16 as investors speculated that the global economic recovery will withstand Japan’s March 11 quake, the biggest on record, and popular revolts in the Middle East and north Africa. The broader HDAX Index (HDAX) dropped 0.3 percent today.
“The DAX is trading lower after Credit Suisse turned more cautious on automakers and downgraded Daimler, which also impacted the performance of BMW and Volkswagen,” said Anita Paluch, a sales trader at ETX Capital in London. “The lurking nervousness has come however to the fore as fresh news emerged about another earthquake hitting Japan, causing markets to react negatively.”

Japan Quake

The DAX earlier slid as much as 0.8 percent after a 6.6- magnitude earthquake hit Japan about 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s stricken nuclear power plant, prompting a tsunami warning and shaking buildings in the country’s capital.
The quake struck at 5:16 p.m. local time 38 kilometers west of Iwaki and 163 kilometers from Tokyo at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. USGS revised the magnitude down from 7.1 earlier.
Daimler slumped 2.7 percent to 50.65 euros as Credit Suisse Group AG downgraded the stock to “neutral” from “outperform.” BMW slid 2.5 percent to 57.10 euros, while Volkswagen AG, Europe’s largest carmaker, declined 1.4 percent to 110.45 euros.
Credit Suisse also downgraded auto-industry shares to “benchmark,” saying it’s cautious on stocks that are more reliant on economic growth. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said sales may grow at a slower pace than previously forecast this year.
Hochtief tumbled 9.5 percent to 62.26 euros, the biggest drop in two years, after its Australian unit predicted a loss and announced a A$757 million ($800 million) stock sale. Germany’s largest listed builder said it will take up its full allotment in Leighton Holdings Ltd.’s share sale.
Deutsche Boerse Rises
Deutsche Boerse gained 0.9 percent to 54.93 euros, the highest price in a month. NYSE Euronext yesterday reaffirmed its $9.67 billion agreement with Deutsche Boerse for the Frankfurt- based exchange to buy the operator of the New York Stock Exchange. NYSE said Deutsche Boerse’s offer will create more value and has a greater likelihood of winning regulatory approval.
Deutsche Boerse doesn’t plan to raise its offer for NYSE Euronext, according to three people familiar with the matter. The Frankfurt-based exchange operator is confident it can close the transaction in the fourth quarter, said the people, who declined to be identified because talks are confidential.