BERLIN, GERMANY – MARCH 16: A truck and a bicycle pass by a gas station where gas prices are well over 2.00 euros per liter on March 16, 2026 in Berlin, Germany. The German government is considering enacting new legislation to curb the soaring prices in response to the dramatic rise in gasoline prices in Germany since the outbreak of the military conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Gasoline prices in Germany have become higher than in other parts of Europe. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Sean Gallup Getty Images News | Getty Images
European stock markets opened modestly higher on Tuesday as investors braced themselves ahead of President Donald Trump’s deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz to Iran later in the day.
Immediately after the opening bell rang, the pan-European Stocks 600 The index rose 0.1% with most sectors staying in the green. of london FTSE100 Germany opened 0.15% higher in early morning trading, while Germany opened 0.15% higher. dachshund It fell by 0.4%. french Cac40 It rose by 0.5%.
European markets ended mixed Thursday, returning from a four-day Easter break.
Investors are struggling to digest mixed messages from the U.S. government regarding potential dispute resolution. President Trump has threatened to target Iran’s civilian infrastructure if a peace deal is not reached within 24 hours, while suggesting that Iranian leaders are negotiating in “good faith.”
President Trump reiterated his call for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 8pm ET on Tuesday, which would allow traffic to resume on the critical route for global energy supplies. He warned that the United States would destroy all bridges and power plants within four hours if that deadline was not met.
In corporate news, Universal Music shares soared 29% after Pershing Square’s $64 billion takeover offer.
Under the terms of the deal, UMG will form a new combined company with billionaire Bill Ackman’s flagship hedge fund, which will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is expected to close by the end of the year.
Asia-Pacific markets were volatile on Tuesday with volatile trading, with major indexes trading lower in morning trading as uncertainty over the war weighed on investor sentiment.
Investors will also be watching the March manufacturing PMI data for the UK and eurozone, due later on Tuesday, for the latest evidence on the impact of the Iran war on Europe’s economy.
—CNBC’s Anniek Bao also contributed to this report.
