Stoxx 600, FTSE, DAX, CAC
Skyscrapers and commercial buildings light up in the skyline of London, United Kingdom, on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. UK business leaders have called on Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves to ease energy costs and avoid increasing the tax burden on British companies as she prepares this year’s budget.
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LONDON — European stock markets started the new trading week in negative territory as investors evaluated geopolitical developments in Iran and increased pressure on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.
Pan-European Stoxx 600 The index was down 0.2% at 8:25 a.m. London time (3:25 a.m. ET), while major stock markets and sectors were predominantly in the red.
Market watchers will be monitoring developments in Iran this week after widespread protests were met with a violent crackdown by Iranian authorities. US President Donald Trump is weighing options for action against Iran, according to multiple reports on Sunday.
The President was shown potential plans ranging from possible military strikes to actions that did not involve the military, MS Now and other media outlets reported, citing US officials.
Trump’s aides reportedly to arrange On Tuesday, he will brief the president on military, cyber and economic measures to carry out his threats.
BE Semiconductor Industries It expects orders for the fourth quarter to reach 250 million euros ($292.2 million), up 43% from the 174.7 million euros booked in the third quarter and up 105% year on year. BESI, which designs and manufactures semiconductor equipment, opened up nearly 8% on Monday. The Dutch company will announce its fourth quarter results next month.
Posts on: heinekenMeanwhile, it rose nearly 1% in early trading on Monday after CEO and Chairman Dolf van den Brink said he planned to step down on May 31. The supervisory board of the Amsterdam-based brewing giant said it would launch a process to find a successor to Van den Brink, who has been in the role for almost six years.
Posts on: Abivax French biotech shares rose 23% on Monday as it reportedly remains the subject of takeover rumors. The company’s shares, which gained almost 1,700% last year, experienced wild fluctuations last week.
Elsewhere, US Stock futures fell overnight after the Justice Department launched a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, escalating tensions over Trump’s apparent attempt to pressure the central bank.
Powell confirmed in a video statement Sunday evening that federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into testimony to the Senate Banking Committee regarding the renovation of Fed office buildings.
Powell said the investigation was another attempt by Trump to influence the central bank’s monetary policy and that he would not bow to pressure. His term as president will expire in May.
There are no major earnings or data releases in Europe on Monday.
— CNBC’s Jennifer Elias, John Melloy and Yun Li contributed to this market report.
