European markets head for another mixed open as war unsettles traders
#European markets #Middle East tensions #Trump Spain trade #Iran Israel conflict #Operation Epic Fury #European indices #geopolitical risk #market uncertainty
📌 Key Takeaways
- European markets expect mixed open amid Middle East tensions
- Trump threatens trade cuts with Spain over refusal to allow U.S. military bases
- U.S. and Israel intensify attacks on Iran with 'Operation Epic Fury'
- Iran reportedly considering succession of Mojtaba Khamenei as supreme leader
- Corporate earnings and EU retail data also influencing markets
📖 Full Retelling
European markets are set for another mixed open on Thursday as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to unsettle traders, with U.S. President Donald Trump threatening to cut off all trade with Spain after it refused to allow American forces to use its bases for strikes on Iran while the U.S. and Israel intensify their military campaign against Iranian targets. According to data from IG, the UK's FTSE index is expected to open 0.5% higher, while Germany's DAX is seen down 0.2%, France's CAC 40 down 0.25%, Italy's FTSE MIB 0.2% lower, and Spain's IBEX 0.5% lower, reflecting the diplomatic fallout between the U.S. and Spain. The conflict in the Middle East has escalated significantly, with Israel launching fresh attacks on Tehran and its defense minister vowing to 'crush' Iranian capabilities, while the U.S. claims to have destroyed 17 Iranian ships and nearly 2,000 targets in what they call 'Operation Epic Fury.' Market uncertainty is compounded by reports that Iranian clerics are considering naming Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the next supreme leader, while experts warn that the U.S. and Israel could become bogged down in the conflict if Iran proves more resilient than expected. Amid these geopolitical tensions, investors are also monitoring corporate earnings from major companies including Merck, DHL Group, Reckitt Benckiser, Galderma Group, and Universal Music Group, along with the latest EU retail sales figures.
🏷️ Themes
Geopolitical Conflict, Market Volatility, International Relations
📚 Related People & Topics
2026 Israeli–United States strikes on Iran
Ongoing military operation
On 28 February 2026, Israel and the United States launched a joint attack on various targets in Iran. The operation, codenamed Roaring Lion (Hebrew: מִבְצַע שְׁאָגַת הָאֲרִי, romanized: mivtsá she'agát ha'arí) in Israel, Operation Epic Fury by the United States Department of Defense, began with a se...
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In this article USB Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable meeting on the administration's "ratepayer protection pledge" in the Indian Treaty Room at the White House on March 4, 2026 in Washington, DC. Win McNamee | Getty Images LONDON — European stocks are set to open in mixed territory again on Thursday as market participants follow geopolitical developments in the Middle East. The U.K.'s FTSE index is seen opening 0.5% higher, Germany's DAX down 0.2%, France's CAC 40 down 0.25% and Italy's FTSE MIB 0.2% lower, according to data from IG. Spain's IBEX is expected to open 0.5% lower with the country in trouble with U.S. President Donald Trump after it refused to allow U.S. forces to use its bases for strikes on Iran. "Spain has been terrible," Trump said on Tuesday. "We're going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don't want anything to do with Spain." Global market attention remains focused on the U.S. and Israel's war on Iran, with attacks intensifying over the last 24 hours. Israel on Wednesday launched a fresh round of attacks on Tehran , with the country's defense minister vowing to "crush" the Iranian regime's capabilities. Meanwhile, the U.S. said has destroyed 17 Iranian ships and nearly 2,000 targets. Follow CNBC's live blog on Iran here : War powers vote fails in the Senate, allowing Trump to continue Iran strikes In Iran, senior clerics responsible for selecting the next supreme leader are considering naming Mojtaba Khamenei , son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to the top post, according to reports. The U.S. and Israel's endgame when it comes to "Operation Epic Fury" remains uncertain, and experts have told CNBC they could get bogged down in the war if the Iranian regime proves more resilient than expected. Earnings come from Merck , DHL Group , Reckitt Benckiser , Galderma Group and Universal Music Group while data releases include the latest EU retail sales figures. Subscribe to CNBC P...
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