European Stocks Little Changed to Kick Off the Week

2026-03-16 08:35 By Joana Taborda 1 min. read

Both the STOXX 50 and the STOXX 600 were little changed at the start of the week, as markets appeared to stabilise even though traders remain focused on the conflict involving Iran.

Strikes continue and oil prices are rising, but US President Trump increased pressure on nations to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and said the US was in talks with Iran.

At the same time, traders are bracing for a week packed with central bank decisions, including those from the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank.

The energy sector led the gains and defense stocks were also higher.

HSBC Holdings (+0.5%), Shell (+0.7%), Unilever (+0.8%) and TotalEnergies (+0.4%) advanced, while Commerzbank (+3.6%) was among the top performers after UniCredit launched an offer to raise its stake to more than 30% in the German lender without seeking control.

Shares of UniCredit were up 0.8%.

On the downside, Roche (-0.2%), Novartis (-0.4%) and AstraZeneca (-0.7%) traded lower.



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European Stocks Rebound
European stocks rebounded on Monday afternoon, with the STOXX 50 rising 0.7% and the STOXX 600 gaining 0.6%, supported by a global market recovery and easing oil prices. Treasury Secretary Bessent said the US is allowing Iranian oil tankers to transit the Strait of Hormuz, while President Trump is urging other nations to help ensure the waterway remains open. Still, uncertainty persists over when the conflict could end. At the same time, traders are bracing for a week packed with central bank decisions, including those from the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank. Financials were among the top-performing sectors, with Commerzbank shares jumping nearly 9% after UniCredit launched an offer to raise its stake to more than 30% in the German lender without seeking control. Shares of UniCredit were up 0.9%, although the German government dismissed the move as “unacceptable.” ASML Holding (+2%) and HSBC Holdings (+2.1%) also posted strong gains.
2026-03-16
European Stocks Little Changed to Kick Off the Week
Both the STOXX 50 and the STOXX 600 were little changed at the start of the week, as markets appeared to stabilise even though traders remain focused on the conflict involving Iran. Strikes continue and oil prices are rising, but US President Trump increased pressure on nations to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and said the US was in talks with Iran. At the same time, traders are bracing for a week packed with central bank decisions, including those from the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank. The energy sector led the gains and defense stocks were also higher. HSBC Holdings (+0.5%), Shell (+0.7%), Unilever (+0.8%) and TotalEnergies (+0.4%) advanced, while Commerzbank (+3.6%) was among the top performers after UniCredit launched an offer to raise its stake to more than 30% in the German lender without seeking control. Shares of UniCredit were up 0.8%. On the downside, Roche (-0.2%), Novartis (-0.4%) and AstraZeneca (-0.7%) traded lower.
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European Stocks Head for Higher Open
European equity markets were set for a higher open on Monday as investors tracked developments in the Middle East and navigated volatile oil prices. Tensions escalated after the US attacked military targets on Iran’s main oil-export hub of Kharg Island over the weekend, while traders evaluated reports that the US will soon announce a coalition of countries to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign ministers from the European Union are scheduled to meet later today to discuss extending the bloc’s naval mission Operation Aspides to the strait, even as German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed skepticism about the operation and Germany’s participation. Meanwhile, there are no major economic or corporate earnings releases in Europe today. In premarket trading, Euro Stoxx 50 and Stoxx 600 futures were up 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively.
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