FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - Uncertainty continues to grip global equity markets this Wednesday. Renewed weakness in the global technology sector and retaliatory strikes in the conflict involving Iran are expected to deter investors from increasing risk exposure ahead of the upcoming US consumer price data. Two hours before the Xetra open, broker IG signaled a 0.1 percent decline for the Dax, positioning it at 24,410 points.

As Commerzbank noted this morning, valuations of AI beneficiaries continued to face scrutiny in New York last night ahead of several major IPOs. This trend carried over into Asia, where fresh losses were recorded across markets from Japan and Taiwan to South Korea. Further uncertainty stems from the fact that the US and Iran have engaged in renewed hostilities despite a ceasefire and ongoing negotiations to end the conflict.

In response to the downing of a US military helicopter, the US military bombed air defense systems, ground control stations, and radar installations in the Strait of Hormuz region. According to Iranian media, Tehran retaliated by attacking US bases in the Gulf region and Jordan, utilizing ballistic missiles among other weaponry. According to army reports, Kuwait's air defenses were also deployed./tih/jha/