AI Trade Reversal Pressures European Stocks

European stocks extended gains for a second consecutive session on Monday, with the Stoxx 50 rising 0.3% and the Stoxx 600 adding 0.2%. Markets advanced in the UK, Germany and France, although Italy and Spain underperformed. ASML Holding, Linde and L’Oréal gained between 0.8% and 1.3%, while LVMH and Siemens rose around 0.5%. In the broader Stoxx 600, Novartis climbed 1.6% and ASML added 0.8%. British housebuilders were among the strongest performers, with Persimmon, Barratt Redrow, Taylor Wimpey and Vistry Group surging more than 10% after the UK government said it would confirm a new equity-loan programme for first-time buyers in next month’s budget. Banco Santander slipped 0.3%, while Roche fell more than 2%. Fresnillo declined around 5% as weaker gold prices pressured precious-metals miners. Oil prices remained elevated amid a US-Iran stalemate, despite reports that talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz could continue, with investors cautious after repeated diplomatic setbacks.

European stocks traded higher on Monday, with both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 gaining around 0.3%, as investors attempted to shrug off another rise in oil prices after US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Luxury stocks were among the gainers, with LVMH rising 0.9% and Hermes adding 1.6%. Energy stocks also moved higher, led by Shell (+0.9%), BP (+0.8%) and TotalEnergies (+0.7%). Anheuser-Busch InBev (+1.6%), L’Oreal (+1.7%) and EssilorLuxottica (+2.3%) also posted solid gains. Taylor Wimpey was among the STOXX 600’s top performers, surging more than 14% as British housebuilders rallied after the UK government said it would confirm a new equity loan programme for first-time buyers in next month’s budget. On the downside, ASML Holding fell 1.2%, Siemens Energy declined 1.5% and Telecom Italia dropped 2.5%. Fresnillo fell more than 5%, making it the STOXX 600’s biggest decliner, as lower gold prices weighed on precious-metals miners.

European equity markets were poised for a subdued opening on Monday as rising oil prices heightened inflation and interest-rate concerns, encouraging investors to take a cautious approach. Oil prices surged after President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran said it would not ease its conditions for reopening the vital waterway. Global bond yields also climbed amid rising inflation risks and growing expectations for additional monetary policy tightening. Meanwhile, Europe has no major economic or corporate earnings releases scheduled for Monday, though investors will turn their attention to preliminary inflation data from across the region later this week. Unemployment figures for the Eurozone, Germany, France, Italy and Spain are also due. In premarket trading, Euro Stoxx 50 and Stoxx 600 futures were flat to slightly higher.