Shares were lower in midday trade after an uninspiring performance in the US overnight, as oil prices rose in Asia this morning, and amid a dearth of local corporate news, though TecDAX-listed biotech companies Evotec and Medigene soared on takeover speculation, dealers said. While the ZEW research institute's economic expectations index for August, which rose by 13.0 points to +50.0 in July compared to expectations of a rise to +38.0, pushed the DAX higher briefly, the index soon returned to its earlier levels. At 11.55 am, the DAX 30 index was 30.99 points or 0.63 pct lower at 4,910.70, having moved between 4,897.14-4,926.33 so far this session. The MDAX was at 6,767.87, down 38.22 points or 0.56 pct, while the TecDAX was at 581.80, down 2.10 points or 0.36 pct. The DAX futures was at 4,919.00, down 11.00 points or 0.22 pct, while the bund futures was at 122.98, down 0.27. The euro last traded at 1.2237 usd, compared with 1.2247 in early London trade.