Stock prices on the ticker screen within the Greek Exchange – Athens Stock Exchange SA on Thursday, April 3, 2025 in Athens, Greece.
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images
LONDON — European stock markets remained in positive territory on Wednesday as regional investors assessed the latest military campaign against Iran and falling oil prices.
pan-european Stocks 600 It was up 0.4% shortly after 10:25 a.m. ET in London.
The main exchanges in London, Paris, Frankfurt and Milan all rose, while most regional sectors rose.
The Iran war continues to be a focus of European markets, with stocks in the region slowly falling after the U.S. military carried out what it called a “self-defense” attack on Tuesday targeting an Iranian ship believed to be planning to deploy a missile launch site and mines in southern Iran.
In response, Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused the United States of “gravely violating” the fragile ceasefire between the two countries.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Strait of Hormuz needs to be open “one way or another.”
The apparent escalation in hostilities comes despite President Donald Trump suggesting in a Truth Social post earlier this week that negotiations were “progressing well” and a peace deal could be on the horizon.
Akzo Nobel Shares soared 17.2% after the specialist Dutch paint and coatings manufacturer, whose brands include Dulux, rejected a joint cash takeover offer from the Netherlands. japan paint and sherwin williams Valued at 73 euros ($85) per share.
AkzuNobel said in a statement that its board of directors “unanimously” continues to recommend its planned merger with the company. axalta Instead.
AkzoNobel said the proposal “falls short” of adequately reflecting the company’s value and long-term prospects, adding that the plan provides “insufficient transaction certainty” regarding the separation and shareholders “are not adequately protected.”
Europe’s auto sector rose about 2% in morning trading, helped by a 5.1% year-on-year increase in new car registrations in the European Union, ACEA data showed. renault It increased by 4.7%. Stellantis 4.6% increase volkswagen It increased by 2.8%. mercedes benz rose 2.9%; BMW Added 2.3%.
Oil prices fell along with global indexes on Wednesday brent crude oil Futures were last trading 2.3% lower at $97.30 a barrel. us west texas intermediate Crude oil futures fell 2.8% to $91.23 per barrel.
Asia-Pacific markets rose on Wednesday, with benchmark indexes in Japan and South Korea hitting new record highs. U.S. stock futures were little changed early Wednesday after tech-led gains also pushed the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite to record highs.
There are no major earnings or data releases in Europe on Wednesday.
—CNBC’s Lee Ying Shan contributed to this market report.
