Live Markets: Europe before the bell: Extended ceasefire, extended uncertainty

Nordea Bank Abp

22/04/2026 07:48

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EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: EXTENDED CEASEFIRE, EXTENDED UNCERTAINTY

European equity markets look set to breathe a small sigh of relief on Wednesday after the U.S. agreed to extend the ceasefire with Iran to allow for peace talks, although when talks might take place is still unclear.

Trump also said the U.S. would continue its naval blockade of Iranian sea trade, which means Iran will likely keep the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed to maritime traffic.

     For now, that means markets are in wait-and-see mode.

Euro STOXX 50 futures STXEc1 are up just shy of 0.2%, while futures on the DAX FDXc1, CAC FCEc1 and FTSE FFIc1 are down 0.2% to up 0.2%.

Away from Iran, earnings season is kicking into gear, with results from Nordea NDAFI.HE, Randstad RAND.AS, ABB ABBN.S and Moncler MONC.MI.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported Deutsche Telekom DTEGn.DE was considering a full combination with T-Mobile US TMUS.O, that could result in the largest public M&A deal on record.

(Samuel Indyk)

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EARLIER ON LIVE MARKETS:

INDEFINITE CEASEFIRE, MARKETS UNBOTHERED CLICK HERE

Muscle memory https://www.reuters.com/graphics/SKHYNIX-MARKETCAP/zjpqmoxyopx/chart.png

Wall Street has advanced since truce hopes gained traction https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-STOCKS/byvrnboxwve/chart.png