FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - The German stock market did not make any great leaps at the start of the week and did not develop a consistent direction. After an initially friendly trend, the leading indices turned negative at times on Monday with the weaker opening on Wall Street on Monday afternoon. The Dax closed 0.02 percent higher at 17,726.47 points. The MDax of medium-sized companies ultimately fell by 0.40 percent to 24,152.88 points.

The general nervousness and uncertainty remains, stated analyst Martin Utschneider from Finanzethos. Even after the recent recovery, blind euphoria is not appropriate and investors should continue to hedge against further losses, he recommended.

Market expert Andreas Lipkow also echoed this sentiment: "The overall situation remains fragile and is anything but a free ride for investors. Sentiment has shown its true colors in recent trading days and left little room for valuation fantasies and share price hopes".

From a corporate perspective, the agenda was straightforward: Hannover Re, a DAX stock, published its quarterly results. Analysts spoke of the reinsurer's strong business figures. The share price rose by 5.2 percent at the top of the Dax./edh/he