FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) – Defense stocks are among the front-runners in a steady overall market on Wednesday morning. Shares of Rheinmetall broke out of their correction trend since their June record high, while Hensoldt is already approaching its previous peak.

However, it is Renk's shares that stand out, with gains of up to 6 percent. Market participants pointed to a report from Bloomberg News, stating that the specialist in drive and control technology is reviewing all options for its civilian business.

One market participant specifically envisions a spin-off of Renk's plain bearing manufacturing, which is especially used in the wind energy sector. This division targets a different customer base compared to other business segments. Additionally, the profitability of this area justifies a valuation premium over competitors.