Rheinmetall

• Armin Papperger, head of the German defense company Rheinmetall, recently stated that Germany's missile stocks remain at alarmingly low levels. • Papperger noted that the current shortage persists because it is simply impossible to produce missiles fast enough to meet demand. • Low missile reserves create a security vulnerability for Germany and its allies during a period of heightened regional instability.

• Germany's DAX 40 closed as the worst-performing major European index on Friday, June 26, 2026, dropping 1.25% to settle at approximately 24,671 points. • The decline was driven by a broader technology sector rout and a significant "overhang" affecting Rheinmetall, highlighting how political and budgetary shifts can disrupt defense procurement investments. • Despite the index loss, the ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment rose sharply in June 2026, marking its first positive reading since the start of the Middle East conflict.