Stoxx 600, FTSE, DAX, CAC, Iran news
A trader works at his desk on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York on May 19, 2026.
Timothy A. Clary | Afp | Getty Images
LONDON — European stocks are expected to open around the flatline on Thursday as investors assess the latest geopolitical news and oil price moves lower.
The U.K.’s FTSE index, Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 are all seen opening relatively flat, while Italy’s FTSE MIB is expected to open up 0.1%, according to data from IG.
European bourses appeared to be unmoved by wider market optimism overnight that the Middle East conflict could end soon.
Positive sentiment was evident in the Asia-Pacific trading session after U.S. President Donald Trump said that Washington was in the “final stages” of negotiations with Iran, according to a pool report.
U.S. crude oil prices fell below $100 per barrel on Wednesday as a result of the comments, with West Texas Intermediate futures declining more than 5% to close at $98.26 per barrel. International benchmark Brent futures also lost more than 5% to settle at $105.02 per barrel.
Trump said earlier this week that he called off renewed military strikes against Iran to give more time for diplomacy at the request of Gulf Arab allies.
Earnings come from Generali and BT Group in Europe on Thursday. There are no major data releases.
— CNBC’s Justina Lee and Spencer Kimball contributed to the report.
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