German benchmark DAX index closes higher

The benchmark DAX index at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on Monday gained 1.44 percent and closed at 11,619.85 points.

Strong economic data in the euro zone among other positive elements put investors at the exchange into a buying mood, according to local analysts. The blue-chip index added 165.47 points.

The semiconductor company Infineon Technologies AG led the risers' list with an increase of 4.16 percent. K+S Aktiengesellschaft, a standard and speciality fertilizers company, rose by 3.73 percent. The health care group Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA climbed by 3.72 percent. LANXESS AG, a chemical company, advanced by 3.53 percent and Deutsche Telekom AG went up by 3.07 percent.

BASF SE and Volkswagen AG Vz were the only two companies that suffered a loss, down by a respective 0.27 percent and 0.26 percent.

The turnover stood at 3.77 billion euros (around 4.20 billion U.S. dollars). Allianz SE was the most traded share of the day with a turnover of 431.18 million euros (around 482.63 million U.S. dollars).