By 03:13 ET on Friday, the pan-European Stoxx 600 was up 0.2%, supported by a 0.4% rise in Germany\u2019s Dax. The U.K.\u2019s FTSE 100 gained 0.1%, while France\u2019s CAC 40 was mostly unchanged.<\/p>\n
The moves followed a rally in U.S. stocks after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled he was looking to engage in talks with Lebanon. The comment helped bolster expectations of a prolonged U.S.-Iran ceasefire ahead of potential discussions between Washington and Tehran this weekend, although the situation remained fragile.<\/p>\n
Iran\u2019s foreign minister stated that Iranian delegates would not attend negotiations in Pakistan if Israel continued strikes against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. Israel\u2019s military said it had hit more Hezbollah targets on Friday, and Netanyahu clarified that there is \u201cno ceasefire\u201d in Lebanon.<\/p>\n
Geopolitical tensions continued to weigh heavily on global energy flows. Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint off Iran\u2019s southern coast, remained near a virtual standstill. According to Reuters, shipping volumes through the waterway were well below 10% of normal levels on Thursday despite the ceasefire.<\/p>\n
Separately, bombardments of Saudi energy facilities have curtailed the kingdom\u2019s oil output capacity by about 600,000 barrels per day and reduced throughput on its East-West Pipeline by roughly 700,000 barrels per day. These disruptions helped push Brent crude futures 1.4% higher to $97.24 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 1.4% to $99.25 per barrel.<\/p>\n
War-related increases in oil prices have intensified concerns about renewed inflation pressures, raising the risk of additional monetary policy tightening by central banks, including the European Central Bank.<\/p>\n
In company news, French food caterer Sodexo cut its annual sales and profit targets, adding a sector-specific note of caution to the otherwise modestly positive equity session. In contrast, U.K. electronics retailer AO World said it expects annual income to come in at the top end of its forecast range.<\/p>\n
These corporate revisions highlighted differing trajectories within the European corporate landscape, even as broader markets were driven primarily by geopolitical and macroeconomic developments.<\/p>\n
Which European indices moved higher on Friday?<\/strong> How did Middle East tensions affect oil prices?<\/strong> What is the main inflation concern mentioned?<\/strong> Which companies issued new guidance?<\/strong>
The Stoxx 600 rose 0.2%, Germany\u2019s Dax climbed 0.4%, and the U.K.\u2019s FTSE 100 gained 0.1%, while France\u2019s CAC 40 was mostly unchanged by 03:13 ET.<\/p>\n
Disrupted tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and reduced Saudi output and pipeline throughput contributed to a 1.4% rise in Brent crude to $97.24 a barrel and a 1.4% increase in WTI to $99.25 per barrel.<\/p>\n
War-related increases in oil costs have raised fears of an inflation surge that could lead to further monetary policy tightening by central banks, including the European Central Bank.<\/p>\n
Sodexo lowered its annual sales and profit targets, while AO World said it expects its annual income to be at the top end of its forecast range.<\/p>\n