Live Markets: Europe before the bell: Watching the negotiations
19/05/2026 07:34
Adds new blog entry Welcome to the home for real-time coverage of markets brought to you by Reuters reporters. You can share your thoughts with us at markets.research@thomsonreuters.com EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: WATCHING THE NEGOTIATIONS European equity investors seem to be taking some comfort from U.S. President Donald Trump saying he had called off a planned attack against Iran, signalling that a deal to end the war could be possible. Iran said they had sent a new peace proposal in an effort to end the conflict that began in late February. Since then, the Strait of Hormuz has remained closed to almost all traffic, severely disrupting global oil and gas supplies. Oil prices are down slightly on Tuesday, although front-month Brent crude futures LCOc1 still trade close to $110 per barrel. Still, that is enough for European equities to be in an upbeat mood on Tuesday. Euro STOXX 50 futures STXEc1 are up 0.4%. DAX FDXc1 and FTSE FFIc1 futures are also up 0.4%, although CAC futures FFIc1 are little changed. Away from the war, Standard Chartered STAN.L said it would cut more than 7,000 jobs as it boosts adoption of AI. Meanwhile, UK electronics retailers Currys CURY.L reported an 18% rise in annual profit, bucking the trend of a generally subdued retail sector. (Samuel Indyk) ***** EARLIER ON LIVE MARKETS: MARKETS IN UNEASY CALM AS INFLATION FEARS TAKE ROOT CLICK HERE Chips ahoy https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-STOCKS/WEEKAHEAD/zdpxgeewmvx/chart.png G7 bond yields https://www.reuters.com/graphics/AUTOMATED-20260518/G7-BOND-YIELDS-SINCE-2008/dwpkybegmpm/chart.png