A bear statue stands outside the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in Frankfurt, Germany on April 7, 2025.
Florian Wiegand | getty images
Futures data pointed to a broadly negative start in Europe on Friday, as uncertainty over US-Iran peace talks weighed on investor sentiment.
Pan-European Stoxx 50 futures were down 0.6% shortly before 7 a.m. (2 p.m. ET) in London, with futures tied to London’s FTSE 100 and Paris’ CAC 40 down 0.8% and 0.6%, respectively. German DAX futures were flat, and futures tied to Switzerland’s SMI index were 0.6% lower.
Investors are focused on the development of the Middle East. “Don’t rush me,” US President Donald Trump told reporters on Thursday when asked about a long-term deal with Iran. He also said that he would not put any “timetable” on when the war would end.
Overnight, it was reported that US forces had boarded and searched another tanker carrying Iranian oil through the Indian Ocean.
Oil prices rose on Friday morning, with global benchmark Brent crude futures up 0.4% at $105.44 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate futures were marginally higher at $95.88.
Back in Europe, investors will monitor another flurry of corporate earnings, with companies like Eni, Orange, Volvo and Renault set to update shareholders on their finances.
Economic data due on Friday will include UK retail sales, French consumer confidence figures and a German IFO business climate update.
