Brussels - European stock markets opened sharply lower on Monday as investors reacted to escalating tensions in the Middle East following US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
The Euro Stoxx 50 fell 2% at the open, while the broader Stoxx 600 dropped 1.8%. Major regional indices also declined, reflecting growing uncertainty in global markets.
Germany’s DAX slipped around 1%, France’s CAC 40 fell more than 1.4%, and Italy’s FTSE MIB dropped nearly 1.8%. Spain’s IBEX 35 recorded one of the steepest declines, falling more than 2%. The Netherlands’ NL 25 also edged lower.
London’s FTSE 100 showed relatively smaller losses, declining about 0.3%.
Asian markets were also under pressure. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell more than 2.3% earlier in the session. In the United States, futures pointed to further weakness, with the E-mini S&P 500 down over 1.6% and the E-mini Nasdaq falling more than 2%.
Gulf Markets Shut
In the UAE, regulators suspended trading on both the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and the Dubai Financial Market for two days. The move was aimed at preventing panic selling after heightened regional tensions.
Oil and Gold Rise
While equities declined, oil prices moved higher. US benchmark crude initially jumped around 8% before easing slightly, trading near $71 per barrel. Brent crude rose about 6% to $77.38 per barrel.
Gold prices climbed roughly 2.5%, with silver and platinum also gaining as investors sought safer assets.
Analysts say markets remain highly sensitive to developments in the Middle East, particularly any impact on energy supplies and shipping routes.
