A ship is seen passing through the Strait of Hormuz in Oman on April 8, 2026, after a two-week interim ceasefire was reached between the United States and Iran on the condition that the Strait of Hormuz be reopened.
Shadi JH Alasar | Anadolu | Getty Images
LONDON — European stock markets started the week in negative territory as global traders assessed developments in the Middle East over the weekend.
pan-european Stocks 600 The index was down nearly 0.8% shortly after 12:30 p.m. (7:30 a.m. ET) in London, with all major stock exchanges falling and most sectors except oil and gas in the red.
Travel and leisure stocks were the hardest hit, falling nearly 2.1% in morning trading. Wizz Air, easyjet and Lufthansa German Airlines They fell by 5.8%, 4.1% and 4.1% respectively as concerns over jet fuel supplies to European airports spooked the market. Tui German aircraft engine makers fell 3.4%. MTU Aero Engine It fell 2.3%.
in contrast, vaal energyThe Norwegian oil and gas giant rose about 3% in early afternoon trading as energy prices rose above $100 a barrel after US President Donald Trump announced plans to close the Strait of Hormuz. The move was announced after talks between the US and Iranian governments over the weekend failed to reach an agreement to end the conflict in the Middle East.
world oil benchmark brent crude oil The US rose 7.1% on Monday to reach 101.96%. west texas intermediate The price rose 7.5% to $103.84.
“Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the world’s greatest navy, will begin the process of blockading any vessels attempting to enter or exit the Strait of Hormuz,” President Trump said in a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Sunday.
“The blockade will begin soon. Other countries will be involved in this blockade. Iran will not be allowed to profit from this illegal act of extortion.” President Trump posted early Monday morning that a blockade of ships entering and leaving Iranian ports would begin at 10 a.m. ET (3 p.m. London time).
European stock exchanges followed suit as Asia-Pacific stocks fell on Monday as investors reacted to the breakdown in negotiations between Iran and the United States, with soaring oil prices reigniting concerns about a protracted conflict. Separately, President Trump threatened China with “staggering tariffs” of about 50% if it provides air defense systems, weapons and other military aid to Iran, potentially escalating tensions further.
Elsewhere, European investors are eyeing Hungary after long-time conservative leader Viktor Orbán conceded defeat to pro-EU Péter Magyar Tisza following a landslide election victory for the opposition. The victory is a blow to Russia and the Trump administration, which saw the Eurosceptic Orban as an ally. The Hungarian forint rebounded as a result of the results, rising 2.51% against the dollar to 313.7 forints and 2.42% against the euro.
The source of revenue is LVMH, christian dior And on Monday, Gulp Energia. No major data released.
In the U.S., stock futures fell ahead of the market’s open on Monday, with futures pegged to stock prices. Dow Jones Industrial Average Last time it was down 0.56%, or 269 points; S&P500 Futures fell 0.1%. Nasdaq In contrast, futures rose almost 0.4%.
