Global Markets | European shares rise as investors assess mixed signals on Middle East war

European shares edged higher from multi-month lows on Tuesday as investors digested conflicting signals from the ongoing ‌war ⁠in the ⁠Middle East, while concerns over the fallout from an ​energy shock kept gains in check.

The pan-European STOXX 600 was ​up 0.3% at 578.45 points by 0803 GMT after the index hit its lowest level ​since November 2025 in the prior ⁠session.

Energy stocks ‌extended gains, mirroring a rise ​in oil prices.


Global ​equities staged a rebound from ⁠sharp losses after U.S. President Donald Trump delayed ​an offensive on Iran, saying positive talks ​were underway, a claim Tehran rejected as "worn-out psychological operations".

The Strait of Hormuz, which carries one-fifth of the global oil trade, has been largely shut, raising concerns of energy-driven inflation in ‌Europe as it relies heavily on the route for its oil supplies.

Among movers, SAP ​declined ​2.2% after J.P. ⁠Morgan downgraded the German software maker to neutral from an overweight rating.

Puig jumped 16% after Estee Lauder and Spanish ​beauty group announced they were in talks regarding a potential merger.

On the macro front, investors await euro zone flash PMI readings for March later in the day.