FX.co ★ European Stocks Lower

European equities fell on Tuesday, with both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 down 0.5%, extending the modest losses from the previous session as ongoing tensions in the Middle East continued to dampen risk appetite. Oil prices advanced further on renewed fears of supply disruptions after the US and Iran carried out additional strikes, while President Trump announced plans to introduce shipping fees on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Markets also shifted focus to the start of the corporate earnings season, with ASML Holding set to report quarterly results on Wednesday; its shares inched up 0.4%. Sector-wise, travel and leisure names were among the weakest performers, whereas energy stocks outpaced the broader market, supported by higher crude prices.

Among individual movers, Siemens (-1.1%), Hermès (-2.0%), SAP (-1.3%), and Banco Santander (-1.0%) lost ground, while Shell (+1.6%), TotalEnergies (+2.0%), and BP (+2.7%) recorded solid gains.