The DAX opened the new year with slight gains, hovering around the 20,000-point mark, despite economic headwinds from China and a cautious outlook from experts. After gaining nearly 19% in 2024, the index faced mixed sentiments, influenced by weak Chinese economic data and policy changes from the US Federal Reserve. Notably, Airbus shares rose following a positive analyst report. Meanwhile, major indexes in the US closed lower on the last trading day of 2024, reflecting a decrease in technology stocks and thin trading volumes.