Mercedes 2015 Annual Report Download - page 55

62 A | TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS | DAIMLER AND THE CAPITAL MARKET
Volatile year on global stock markets
European stock markets began the year 2015 with substantial
gains. The stock markets were boosted in particular by the
expansionary monetary policy of the ECB, which supplemented
its existing measures by initiating a government-bond pur-
chasing program (quantitative easing, QE) with a total volume
of €1.1 trillion. The DAX had risen by more than 25% by the
beginning of April, reaching record highs during that period.
Subsequently, however, the further escalation of the Greek
debt crisis had a negative impact on the development of the
index, as concerns surrounding the possible consequences
of a potential Greek exit from the euro zone led to increased
volatility. The share-price losses of companies with high export
volumes were slightly higher than those of the market as a
whole, as the euro was able to recover somewhat from its weak
position against the dollar. After share prices rose slightly
in July, developments on international markets were negatively
affected by reports of slower growth for China’s economy,
turbulence on Chinese stock markets and uncertainties regarding
the interest-rate policy of the Federal Reserve in the United
States. As a result, share prices fell significantly in Europe and
the United States in August. Given the importance of the
Chinese market for vehicle manufacturers, automotive stocks
were significantly impacted by the aforementioned devel-
opments. There were also further concerns at the time that
economic growth in the United States might have already
peaked. But it did not take long for the markets to recover,
and many sectors were able to recoup at least some of their
previous share-price losses. The ongoing decline in oil prices
and disappointment related to the ECB’s decision not to
expand its bond purchasing program led to very volatile share-
price movements in December.
The index of the most important shares in the euro zone, the
Dow Jones Euro STOXX 50, rose by 4% in 2015. The leading
German index, the DAX, performed significantly better, rising
by 10%. The DAX also broke through the 12,000 mark for the
first time ever in April 2015 and reached a new all-time high of
12,375 on April 10. In Japan, the Nikkei-Index climbed by
9% over the year, and in the United States, the Dow Jones
fell by 2% over the year.

A.01
Global stock markets remained volatile in 2015 and markets in some regions finished the year
with substantial gains. European share prices benefited overall from the ongoing expansionary
monetary policy of the European Central Bank (ECB), as well as from low interest rates.
The Daimler share price increased by 12% over the course of the year and thus once again
outperformed the DAX. The Board of Management and the Supervisory Board propose
an increased dividend of €3.25 per share (prior year: €2.45).
Development of Daimler’s share price and of major indices
End of 2015 End of 2014 15/14
% change
Daimler share price (in euros) 77.58 68.97 +12
DAX 30 10,743 9,806 +10
Dow Jones Euro STOXX 50 3,268 3,146 +4
Dow Jones Industrial Average 17,425 17,823 -2
Nikkei 19,034 17,451 +9
Dow Jones STOXX Auto Index 566 501 +13
A.01
Key figures per share
2015 2014 15/14
Amounts in euros % change
Net profit 7.87 6.51 +21
Dividend 3.25 2.45 +33
Equity (December 31) 50.06 40.81 +23
Xetra price at year end177.58 68.97 +12
Highest195.79 71.14 +35
Lowest163.26 56.01 +13
1 Closing prices
A.02
Daimler and the Capital Market