Live Markets: European equities mostly lower, energy stocks gain

GN Store Nord A/S

16/03/2026 08:48

Adds new blog entry

STOXX 600 down 0.1%

Energy stocks lead as oil prices jump again

UniCredit launches bid for Commerzbank shares

Wall Street futures higher

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EUROPEAN EQUITIES MOSTLY LOWER, ENERGY STOCKS GAIN

Major European stock indexes are mostly falling on Monday as the war in the Middle East enters into its third straight week.

The STOXX 600 .STOXX is down about 0.1% after suffering its biggest two-week drop since Trump introduced his tariffs last April.

Energy stocks .SXEP are outperforming as oil prices have jumped again on further supply disruptions.

Sources told Reuters that oil loading operations were suspended at UAE's Fujairah port after a drone attack caused a fire.

With the Strait of Hormuz still effectively closed, Brent crude LCOc1 futures have jumped back above $105 per barrel on Monday.

Elsewhere the DAX .GDAXI and CAC .FCHI are lower by 0.1% and 0.3%, respectively, while the FTSE 100 .FTSE is up 0.2%.

Goldman Sachs has slightly upped its target for the UK benchmark index, seeing energy and FX as supportive.

Away from Iran, UniCredit CRDI.MI is launching an unsolicited offer to increase its stake in Commerzbank CBKG.DE to more than 30% and push its rival to engage in merger talks. Shares in the German bank are up 4%, while UniCredit shares are down 1.8%.

 In other M&A news, GN Store Nord GN.CO shares are up over 35% after the company agreed to sell its hearing business to Italy's Amplifon AMPF.MI in a $2.6 billion deal.

Here's your opening snapshot:

(Samuel Indyk)

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EARLIER ON LIVE MARKETS:

EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: STOCK FUTURES EDGE UP, UNICREDIT MAKES COMMERZBANK BID CLICK HERE

DRAWING TO A STRAIT IS ALWAYS A RISKY PLAY CLICK HERE

European shares mostly lower https://www.reuters.com/graphics/GLOBAL-STOCKS/gdvzawabopw/chart.png