Continental AG: History, key figures and share price development

Publication date: June 23, 2025

 

Continental AG is a leading German multinational company operating in the tire and automotive technology industries. The company offers innovative solutions in the areas of mobility, safety, and sustainable technologies. In this article, you can read all about Continental shares: share price, performance, competitive analysis, and outlook for 2025. If you would like to receive weekly updates on European stocks, subscribe to our newsletter here and stay informed.

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- Year founded: 1871

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Year added to the DAX 40: 2008

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Highest price ever: €250 in January 2018

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Average trading volume: about 425,000 shares per day

- Price performance over the past 12 months: + 37.17%









 

Introduction about the company

 

Continental AG is one of the largest suppliers in the global automotive industry, headquartered in Hanover, Germany. The company develops technologies and services in the field of mobility, focusing on safety, efficiency, and connectivity. Continental is best known for its high-quality car tires and also plays a leading role in electronic systems, braking technology, driver assistance systems, and autonomous driving. Thanks to this broad positioning, Continental is an important player in the transition to electric and smart vehicles.

 

Key figures & performance

 

In 2024, Continental achieved sales of €34.83 billion and a net profit of €2.16 billion. These figures show that the company is recovering from previous supply chain problems and disappointing profit margins. Continental has more than 200,000 employees worldwide and operates in more than 50 countries. Its market capitalization reached €15.08 billion in June 2025, while its share price rose by more than 37% over the past 12 months. The highest ever share price was €230.20, and the average daily trading volume is 424.53 thousand shares.


History & development

 

Continental was founded in 1871 in Hanover as a manufacturer of soft rubber products, such as rubber upholstery and solid tires for carriages. The company grew into a pioneer in the automotive sector, with a strong focus on innovation. In the 20th century, Continental played a key role in the development of radial tires and electronic braking systems. In 2008, the company was included in the DAX index in recognition of its economic importance. The acquisition of Siemens VDO in 2007 marked an important strategic shift into vehicle technology. Despite challenges from the coronavirus pandemic, chip shortages, and rising raw material prices, Continental continued to invest in the future of mobility. The company now focuses emphatically on sustainability and digitalization.

 

Sector & competition

 

Continental operates in the international automotive and technology sector, in which it competes with companies such as Bosch, ZF Friedrichshafen, Michelin and Bridgestone. Whereas Bosch is strong in electrical systems and Bridgestone in tire production, Continental offers a combined proposition of tires as well as advanced vehicle technology. This positioning enables the company to serve OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), in particular in their search for integrated solutions for electric, automated, and connected vehicles. At the same time, fierce competition forces Continental to continuously invest in R&D and cost optimization.

 

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Continental's influence on the DAX 40

Continental has a weighting of 0.49% in the DAX 40 index (Measured in December 2024). View the composition of the DAX 40 and the weighting of all companies in the DAX 40 here. The company's share price is influenced by trends in the global auto industry, such as demand for electric vehicles, changes in commodity prices, and geopolitical developments. In addition, technological advances in autonomous driving and connectivity are playing an increasing role. Investors are closely monitoring margin development, the profitability of the Automotive division, and the pace of innovation. Fluctuations in global demand for new cars and economic growth rates also affect the share's valuation.

 

Investment analysis & outlook

The chart shows a sharp contrast between Continental AG's performance and the broader German stock market index DAX. Whereas the DAX has shown an impressive increase of + 70.68% since 2020, Continental's shares recorded a loss of - 29.23% at the same time. This places the share among the weaker performers within the DAX 40.

Although Continental showed signs of recovery in 2023 and early 2024, the share lagged structurally behind the broader market. The share price is still trading well below the peak levels of 2021, while the DAX managed to reach new record highs. This relative weakness reflects market doubts about profitability, margin pressure, and the speed at which Continental can take advantage of the electrification and digitization of the auto industry.

 

Looking ahead to 2025, Continental is targeting further growth in the intelligent mobility solutions segment. In doing so, the company expects electrification and software-driven innovation to become key drivers of sales growth. However, margins remain under pressure due to rising labor costs and geopolitical uncertainties, especially in supply chains. Continental AG is not yet showing a convincing technical trend reversal, but the fundamental basis for recovery is in place.



News & updates

In April 2025, Continental announced a strategic partnership with a major Asian tech player to jointly work on control software for autonomous vehicles. In addition, the company announced that it is expanding its tire production capacity in Eastern Europe to better meet the growing demand for summer and all-season tires. Continental also increased its R&D budget for 2025 by €500 million, focusing on software development and sustainable materials.

Management also confirmed a dividend proposal of €2.20 per share, signaling the company's confidence toward shareholders. Continental remains committed to its ambition not only to be a technological leader, but also to play a leading role in sustainability within the mobility sector.

 

 

Disclaimer: Investing involves risks. Our analysts are not financial advisors. Always consult an advisor when making financial decisions. The information and tips provided on this website are based on our analysts' own insights and experiences. They are therefore for educational purposes only.