European Stocks Set for Higher Open

European stocks edged modestly higher on Tuesday, with both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 gaining 0.2%, as developments in the Middle East continue to dominate headlines and traders look for fresh catalysts. Reports show that Iran will join the US for talks in Islamabad. Markets are also closely watching whether the ceasefire which is set to expire Wednesday evening (Washington time), will be extended, and whether the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened. ASML Holding (1.2%), SAP (1.3%) and Allianz (1.4%) were booking gains while AstraZeneca (-1.2%), UBS (-2%) and Safran (-1%) traded lower. In addition, traders keep an eye on the earnings season, with Thales losing 1% as its results failed to impress investors. Royal Unibrew tumbled more than 17% to bottom the STOXX 600 as the company's partnership with Pepsi traders in northern Europe was set to end. Associated British Foods was also down 5% as the company reported a drop in first-half operating profit and said it will separate Primark.

European equity markets were poised to open higher on Tuesday, supported by optimism over a potential deal to end the conflict between the US and Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides are expected to send delegations to Islamabad for a second round of talks before the current ceasefire expires this week. However, President Donald Trump said he is unlikely to extend the truce and that the Strait of Hormuz will remain blocked until a deal is finalized. In Europe, investors will look to UK labor market data and Germany’s ZEW economic survey for fresh economic signals. On the corporate front, earnings are due from Thales, Associated British Foods, and Beiersdorf, among others. In premarket trading, Euro Stoxx 50 and Stoxx 600 futures were both up about 0.4%.

European stocks closed sharply lower on Monday as fresh escalation to the war in the Middle East erased hopes that an agreement could restore energy exports from the region. The Eurozone's STOXX 50 fell 1.2% to 5,982 and the pan-European STOXX 600 fell 0.6% to 621. US President Trump noted it was unlikely that the current ceasefire with Iran would be extended this week, reigniting concerns of escalated attacks between both countries and prolonging bets that energy exports from the key region will remain suspended through the month. The rebound in oil and natural gas prices triggered inflationary risks for power-hungry sectors, with Safran, Siemens, and Schneider losing between 2% and 4%. The resulting upswing in euro-denominated sovereign yields pressured lenders, with BBVA, Santander, and BNP Paribas dropping over 2% each, while UniCredit sank 5.3% after CEO Orcel reiterated the will to acquire Commerzbank. SAP and EssilorLuxottica fell around 4% ahead of their earnings this week.