Live Markets: An uneasy lull

Novartis AG

28/04/2026 09:01

Adds new blog entry

STOXX 600 flat

BOJ keeps rates on hold, split vote

Oil prices rise again

Wall Street futures lower

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AN UNEASY LULL

European equity indexes are a touch higher on Tuesday, with few new developments regarding the war in Iran to drive price action.

"Today marks 2 months since the strikes on Iran began and with that, we reach an uneasy lull in the newsflow," writes Deutsche Bank global head of macro research Jim Reid in his morning note.

The ceasefire is holding for now, but sticking points remain regarding a longer-term peace deal. A U.S. official said President Trump was not happy with Iran's latest proposal to end the conflict.

The STOXX 600 .STOXX is flat, after earlier touching its lowest level since April 8. The pan-continental index has fallen for five of the last six trading sessions.

Most other major bourses are edging up. The FTSE .FTSE is up 0.3%, while Germany's DAX .GDAXI and France's CAC .FCHI are both marginally higher.

Switzerland's SMI .SSMI underperforms, weighed by a 3% drop in Novartis NOVN.S shares after the pharma giant reported profit and sales below expectations in the latest quarter. The healthcare sector .SXDP is the weakest in Europe.

The oil & gas sector .SXEP is the top gainer, as energy prices are rising again. July Brent crude futures LCOcv1 are at their highest since March 31 after rising for six of the last seven trading sessions.

Here's your opening snapshot:

(Samuel Indyk)

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EARLIER ON LIVE MARKETS:

EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: NO WAR, NO PEACE CLICK HERE

BOJ'S HAWKISH HOLD CLICK HERE

How interest rates have changed among G10 central banks https://www.reuters.com/graphics/AUTOMATED-20260428/G10-INTEREST-RATES-SINCE-MARCH-2024/akveyjdxovr/chart.png

European shares mixed, Switzerland underperforms https://www.reuters.com/graphics/GLOBAL-STOCKS/akveyjddzvr/chart.png