Geopolitical concerns in the Middle East continue to weigh on markets, and European stock exchanges are feeling the pressure. Trading opened on a mixed note across the continent’s major indexes, while oil and energy commodities posted sharp gains. Tensions between the United States and Iran remain elevated: the latest round of talks once again failed to produce a compromise, and U.S. President Donald Trump described Tehran’s counterproposal as “unacceptable.”
European Indexes
More specifically, Paris and Frankfurt are leading the declines in European markets, with the CAC 40 down 0.74% at 8,052 points and Germany’s DAX slipping 0.20% to 24,289 points. Other European markets proved more resilient: Milan’s FTSE MIB opened slightly above parity, gaining 0.19% to 49,382 points, supported by buying in banking and energy stocks. London also moved higher (+0.22%), alongside Madrid (+0.11%). The STOXX Europe 600 remained nearly unchanged, edging down 0.07%, reflecting a cautious mood among investors awaiting fresh macroeconomic signals and further guidance from central banks.
Black Gold Moves Higher Again
In contrast, energy commodities are moving sharply higher, with oil prices accelerating once more. Brent crude climbed 2.43% to $103.75 per barrel, while WTI gained 2.13% to reach $97.45. Murban Crude was also among the top performers, rising 2.96% above the $101 threshold. Natural gas prices increased as well (+1.74% to $2.805), alongside RBOB gasoline (+1.72%), signaling broad upward pressure across the entire energy commodities sector. The rally in raw materials is supporting oil and utility stocks across Europe, helping Milan’s stock exchange remain resilient in early trading.