FX.co ★ European Stocks Cautious to Kick Off the Week

European stocks started the week on a mixed footing as investors returned from the Easter break, with the STOXX 50 hovering around the flatline and the STOXX 600 edging up 0.2%. Markets are now entering the sixth week of the conflict with Iran, and uncertainty persists amid conflicting signals about a potential resolution. US President Trump warned that if no agreement is reached by his Tuesday deadline, the US military could target key Iranian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges. At the same time, he said that talks with Iran are “going well” and stressed that reopening the strait remains “a very big priority.” Oil prices continued to rise amid the ongoing tensions. By sector, financials and consumer non-cyclicals led the gains, while technology stocks underperformed. ASML Holding fell about 4%, whereas Shell advanced 0.9%.