European stocks opened the week on a cautious note, with the STOXX 50 up 0.2% and the STOXX 600 trading broadly flat, as investors weighed developments in the Middle East alongside persistent concerns over technology and AI valuations. Oil prices resumed their upward trajectory after last week’s pullback, supported by weekend strikes involving the US and Iran. However, both sides agreed on Sunday to pause hostilities and allow commercial vessels to pass freely through the Strait of Hormuz.
Markets are also looking ahead to the ECB’s Forum this week, where central bank leaders, including Fed Chair Warsh and ECB President Lagarde, are scheduled to speak.
In corporate moves, ASML Holding gained 1.1% and SAP rose 1.3%. Prosus climbed more than 3% after reporting an 84% increase in full-year adjusted core profit. In contrast, Novo Nordisk fell 1.5%, Unilever slipped 0.9%, and Anheuser-Busch InBev declined 1%.
