Stoxx 600, FTSE, DAX, Iran news, UK Starmer latest
Investors work on the New York Stock Exchange during morning trading on April 20, 2026 in New York.
Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images
LONDON — European stock markets are expected to open higher on Wednesday and recover from losses in the previous session.
of england FTSE The German index is expected to open with a 0.6% increase DAX France increased by 0.5 percent CAC 40 Italy up 0.6% FTSE MIB 0.7% higher, according to IG’s data.
Earnings reports are coming Allianz, German Telecom, Zurich Insurance, eon, Merck, RWE, Hapag-Lloyd And porsche on Wednesday.
German automation giant Siemens After announcing a net profit of 2.03 billion euros in the first quarter, above estimates, it launched a new share buyback program of 6 billion euros ($7.04 billion) covering the next five years.
The expected higher open comes after European stocks traded in negative territory on Tuesday as the prospect of a quick resolution to the US-Iran war became increasingly remote., and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s premiership appeared highly vulnerable to a leadership challenge.
Starmer insisted at his weekly cabinet meeting on Tuesday that he would not resign and would “continue to govern” following Labour’s poor local election performance last week. It remains under pressure as deputy ministers and several junior ministers have resigned in recent days.
Yields on UK government bonds, known as Gilts, extended gains, with the 10-year benchmark rising 10 basis points to 5.11% at one point.
Global investors will focus on developments regarding the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where trade and the Iran war are expected to be discussed.
Trump said on Monday that the month-long ceasefire between the United States and Iran was “incredibly weak” and “on massive life support” after rejecting Tehran’s “unacceptable” counteroffer to end the conflict.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Trump does not need Congressional approval to resume attacks on Iran. The comment came after the administration passed the 60-day period required by the federal war powers act to authorize military force.
Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Wednesday; Investors digested higher-than-expected US inflation data for April due to concerns about higher oil prices.
U.S. traders expect more inflation data on Wednesday and the April producer price index to be released later in the session. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones expect a headline increase of 0.5% for the month, in line with the March rate. U.S. stock futures were broadly higher in early trading Wednesday.
— CNBC’s Lisa Kallai Han and Justina Lee contributed to this market report.
