DAX vs FTSE 100: A Comprehensive Comparison for Investors
European stock markets are currently experiencing gains, with the DAX and FTSE 100 leading the charge. As of midday trading on March 10, 2026, the DAX has risen by 2.55%, the FTSE 100 by 1.73%, and the CAC 40 by 2.08%. This article provides a detailed comparison of these two major indices, examining their performance, composition, and key attributes to help investors develop informed decisions.
DAX vs FTSE 100: An Overview
The DAX (Deutscher Aktienindex) represents the 40 largest and most actively traded German stocks listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange’s Prime Standard segment. justETF. The FTSE 100 (Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index) tracks the 100 largest UK stocks by market capitalization.
Performance Comparison
As of March 10, 2026, the performance of the indices, based on their respective reference ETFs, shows a significant difference. The FTSE 100 has experienced a more substantial increase, with a 18.38% gain over the past month, although the DAX has seen a more modest increase of 1.29% Curvo. Here’s a snapshot of recent performance:
- DAX: +1.29% (1 Month), +18.38% (YTD)
- FTSE 100: +18.38% (1 Month), +5.00% (YTD)
According to Yahoo Finance, the FTSE 100 is currently trading at 10,427.55 (as of 3:38:30 PM GMT) with a 1.74% increase. Yahoo Finance. The DAX is trading at 24,000.63 with a 2.53% increase.
Key Attributes
| Attribute | DAX | FTSE 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Index Description | Tracks the 40 largest German stocks | Tracks the 100 largest UK stocks |
| Investment Focus | Equity, Germany | Equity, United Kingdom |
| Volatility (1 Year) | 17.02% | 14.20% |
| Number of Holdings (ETF) | 40 | 102 |
| Number of Holdings (Index) | 40 | 100 |
| Weight of Top 10 Holdings | 64.38% | 47.06% |
Top 10 Holdings
Here’s a comparison of the top 10 holdings in each index:
DAX
- SAP SE (12.73%)
- Siemens AG (10.29%)
- Allianz SE (8.62%)
- Airbus SE (7.22%)
- Deutsche Telekom AG (5.85%)
- Siemens Energy AG (4.92%)
- Münchener Rückversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG (4.26%)
- Rheinmetall AG (4.08%)
- Deutsche Bank AG (3.57%)
- Infineon Technologies AG (2.84%)
FTSE 100
- HSBC Holdings Plc (8.82%)
- AstraZeneca PLC (8.16%)
- Shell Plc (6.54%)
- Unilever Plc (4.22%)
- Rolls-Royce Holdings (4.12%)
- British American Tobacco plc (3.72%)
- GSK Plc (2.99%)
- BP Plc (2.93%)
- Rio Tinto Plc (2.86%)
- Barclays PLC (2.70%)
Country Exposure
The DAX is heavily concentrated in Germany, with 92.70% of its holdings based in the country. The FTSE 100 has a more diversified country exposure, with 86.04% in the United Kingdom.
- DAX: Germany (92.70%), Netherlands (6.72%), Switzerland (2.09%), Other (0.58%)
- FTSE 100: United Kingdom (86.04%), Ireland (1…)
Conclusion
Both the DAX and FTSE 100 are significant European indices offering exposure to leading companies in their respective economies. Currently, the FTSE 100 is demonstrating stronger performance, but the DAX remains a key indicator of the German economy. Investors should consider their individual risk tolerance and investment goals when deciding which index, or ETFs tracking these indices, to include in their portfolios.