FX.co ★ European Shares Set to Open Lower

European equity markets were poised to open lower on Thursday, interrupting a two-session rally as investors turned cautious amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and awaited the European Central Bank’s policy decision later in the day. Oil prices rose to a new six-week high after President Trump warned that the US would strike Iranian infrastructure if shipping through the Strait of Hormuz were attacked, while Iran pledged to retaliate. Iran-backed Houthi militants also targeted two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, heightening concerns over broader supply disruptions. At the same time, the ECB is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged as policymakers evaluate the economic implications of the deepening regional conflict. In corporate news, STMicroelectronics forecast revenue growth for the current quarter, supported by robust demand from AI data centers. In premarket trading, Euro Stoxx 50 and Stoxx 600 futures were down 0.3% and 0.2%, respectively.