European Stocks Edge Lower Amid Tariff Uncertainty

2026-02-23 13:13 By Joana Ferreira 1 min. read

European equities traded flat to lower Monday, with the Stoxx 50 holding steady at 6,130 and the broader Stoxx 600 down 0.3% to 629, as confusion persisted over whether US President Donald Trump’s new 15% tariffs take effect tomorrow in the UK or the EU.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer assured that existing agreements with around 20 countries remain unaffected, but Andy Haldane of the British Chambers of Commerce said the tariffs could apply unless clarified, while a senior EU lawmaker urged the European Parliament to postpone a vote on legislation implementing the EU’s side of the deal.

On the corporate front, pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk fell more than 13% after reporting disappointing results from a key weight-loss trial and Victoria PLC fell 7% after warning Q4 revenues would miss expectations.

Utility Enel jumped 6.5% on plans to invest €53 billion by 2028, while postal operator PostNL rose 2.2% after projecting 2026 operating earnings broadly in line with last year.



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