CDAX Index
Stock-Market Champions
Navigating the Landscape of Stock Listed Firms
By loading the video, you agree to our Terms & Conditions,
our Privacy Policy and Vimeo's privacy policy.
CDAX Index
The German CDAX Index, known in financial circles as the "Comprehensive DAX," has cemented its reputation as a vital bellwether of economic performance and investor sentiment in Germany.Â
Â
This wide-ranging, all-inclusive index gives investors an unparalleled understanding of the German stock market dynamics, offering a benchmark that captures the complete equity market performance.
Video Hub
At a Glance
The Origin and Evolution of the CDAX Index
Â
The CDAX Index has a rich history dating back to 1988 when Deutsche Börse AG launched it. Originally, it was designed as a performance index to measure the combined performance of all German shares traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Over the years, it has evolved to include the full spectrum of German-domiciled and traded companies, extending its reach beyond the traditional blue-chip DAX 30 stocks. Today, it encapsulates over 600 equities, making it an essential tool for investors to understand the broader German equity market.
Â
What Distinguishes the CDAX Index?
Â
What sets the CDAX Index apart is its comprehensive coverage of the German equities universe, from large to small cap. This breadth of coverage is unique in the German market, making it a critical tool for tracking the overall health of the German economy. While the DAX focuses on the top 30 companies in market capitalisation, the CDAX provides a more holistic view, including a wider array of industry sectors.
Â
Why Investors Should Care About the CDAX Index
Â
Key Benefits for Investors
- It is an effective way to gauge the economic health of Germany, the largest economy in the European Union.
- It provides a broader perspective of the German market beyond the DAX 30, giving insights into industries such as technology, healthcare, and renewable energy, which are not heavily represented in the DAX.
- Given its broad-based nature, it acts as a useful benchmark for funds that aim to capture the performance of the entire German equity market.
Historical Performance and Consistency
Over the past three decades, the CDAX Index has demonstrated consistent growth, albeit with periods of volatility. Its overall trend, however, has been upward, showcasing the resilience and robustness of the German economy. Given the broader mix of sectors and companies, the CDAX tends to outperform the DAX during bull markets, providing a more comprehensive growth picture. In contrast, the CDAX tends to decline during bear markets, reflecting more general market pessimism, albeit typically slower than more concentrated indices due to its diversified exposure.
Â
Comparing CDAX with International Indices
Â
Compared to international counterparts, the CDAX holds its own. As of year-end 2022, the CDAX’s 10-year annualised return was approximately 7%, similar to the S&P 500’s return of 7.5%. On a risk-adjusted basis, the CDAX has a slightly higher Sharpe ratio than the S&P 500, reflecting its competitive risk-return trade-off.
It’s worth noting that the CDAX has shown a positive correlation with the DAX but with lower volatility, illustrating the benefits of its broad-based approach. For instance, during the global financial crisis of 2008, the CDAX fell by approximately 40%, compared to a 45% fall in the DAX. Similarly, in the bull market following the crisis, the CDAX had an annualised return of 25% from 2009 to 2019, outpacing the DAX’s 21%.
Â
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Â
In conclusion, the German CDAX Index is essential for any investor seeking exposure to or understanding the German market. Its wide-ranging coverage, robust historical performance, and ability to capture the broader market dynamics make it a vital asset for local and international investors. It exemplifies the robustness of the German economy and stands as a testament to the economic resilience and diversification of the country. Whether you’re an institutional investor or a private individual looking to diversify your portfolio, the CDAX Index merits consideration.