Live Markets: Markets muted as Iran worries persist

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23/04/2026 09:03

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STOXX 600 down 0.1%

Travel and leisure stocks lower

Telecommunications, food and beverage stocks rise

Wall St futures lower

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MARKETS MUTED AS IRAN WORRIES PERSIST

European markets had a muted start on Thursday as investors navigated Iran war nerves, with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz still disrupted while uncertainty shrouded the outlook for peace talks.

The STOXX 600 was last near flat after having started the day lower, following on from three consecutive days of losses.

Regional indices were mixed, with the FTSE 100 .FTSE down 0.38% and the DAX .GDAXI nudging 0.13% lower while the CAC .FCHI rose 0.5%.

An index of European travel and leisure stocks .SXTP fell 1.43% as oil prices nudged higher.

Telecommunication stocks .SXKP meanwhile led gains, last up 1.85% as Nokia NOKIA.HE shares jumped more than 8%. Nokia raised the growth targets for its artificial intelligence business on Thursday, after the network gear maker beat market expectations for quarterly comparable operating profit.

WH Smith shares meanwhile tumbled over 10% after the British retailer lowered its annual profit forecast and suspended its dividend due to disruptions caused to global air traffic by the Middle East war.

(Sophie Kiderlin)

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EARLIER ON LIVE MARKETS

EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: NERVOUS MARKETS CLICK HERE

HOW MUCH RISK CAN MARKETS SWALLOW? CLICK HERE

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