European Stocks Down

2026-10-08 07:33 By Joana Taborda 1 min. read

European stocks traded lower on Thursday, with the STOXX 50 falling 1.2% and the STOXX 600 declining 0.9%, extending losses from the previous session, as a surge in oil prices weighed on risk sentiment amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Oil prices climbed following reports that the White House had asked the Pentagon to draw up strike options against Iran that could be executed before the midterm elections.The rise in oil prices pushed bond yields higher again, adding further pressure on equities.

Basic resources led the declines, while banks and healthcare stocks also came under pressure.

In contrast, oil and gas shares traded higher.

Among the largest companies, ASML (-1.6%), HSBC (-2%), Novartis (-1.1%), LVMH (-1%), Siemens (-1.9%) and L'Oreal (-1%) were all lower while Shell (1.1%) and TotalEnergies (1.1%) booked gains.



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European Stocks Down
European stocks traded lower on Thursday, with the STOXX 50 falling 1.2% and the STOXX 600 declining 0.9%, extending losses from the previous session, as a surge in oil prices weighed on risk sentiment amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Oil prices climbed following reports that the White House had asked the Pentagon to draw up strike options against Iran that could be executed before the midterm elections.The rise in oil prices pushed bond yields higher again, adding further pressure on equities. Basic resources led the declines, while banks and healthcare stocks also came under pressure. In contrast, oil and gas shares traded higher. Among the largest companies, ASML (-1.6%), HSBC (-2%), Novartis (-1.1%), LVMH (-1%), Siemens (-1.9%) and L'Oreal (-1%) were all lower while Shell (1.1%) and TotalEnergies (1.1%) booked gains.
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