German shares lost on Tuesday, with the benchmark DAX index dropping by 156.14 points, or 1.22 percent, to close at 12,677.97 points.

Automotive manufacturer Volkswagen lost the most among the blue chips, down by 2.53 percent, followed by sportswear and equipment maker Adidas and multinational chemical firm Linde, which lost 2.39 percent and 2.06 percent respectively.

Deutsche Bank, personal-care company Beiersdorf and renal dialysis equipment supplier Fresenius Medical were the top three winners, rising by 0.78 percent, 0.42 percent and 0.12 percent respectively.

German multinational chemical and pharmaceutical company Bayer was the most traded share of the day with a turnover of 360.35 million euros (415.62 million U.S. dollars).