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  • Wall Street set for weaker open as oil rally renews inflation concerns: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Futures

    Wall Street set for weaker open as oil rally renews inflation concerns: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Futures

    Wall Street was on course to open lower on Wednesday as another rise in crude oil prices added to concerns over inflation and the outlook for U.S. interest rates.

    Brent crude climbed through $100 a barrel for the first time since July, while U.S. crude futures gained around 3% following further military exchanges involving the U.S. and Iran.

    U.S. forces destroyed five Iranian crude carriers after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted a U.S. Navy warship with ballistic missiles.

    U.S. Central Command said the tankers formed part of a multibillion-dollar network used to finance the IRGC and regional groups aligned with Tehran.

    Iran subsequently launched missiles targeting U.S. military positions in Jordan, adding to concerns about the possibility of a broader regional conflict.

    Oil rally raises questions over Fed policy

    The latest increase in energy prices has brought inflation risks back into focus ahead of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy meeting next week.

    “Brent crude pushing above $100 a barrel has had a psychological effect on the market, pushing a hypothetical inflation worry gauge to ‘serious’ status and dragging down financial assets,” said Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell.

    “The oil price has now jumped by 28% since early August,” Coatsworth added. “This type of ascent could leave businesses and consumers feeling sick at the thought of sharp cost increases and potentially higher borrowing costs if central banks choose to fight inflation with interest rate hikes.”

    Attention will also turn to U.S. consumer and producer inflation figures due later this week. The data could shape expectations for the Fed’s next interest rate decision.

    U.S. indices extend losses after Labor Day break

    The expected weaker open follows declines across Wall Street on Tuesday, when markets returned from the Labor Day weekend.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average recorded the largest decline among the major indices, dropping 628.18 points, or 1.2%, to 52,786.07.

    The S&P 500 fell 45.08 points, or 0.6%, to 7,673.52, while the Nasdaq Composite finished 85.58 points, or 0.3%, lower at 26,421.41.

    Tuesday’s declines also coincided with higher oil prices after U.S. forces struck three Iranian crude carriers over the weekend following Iranian missile launches towards two U.S. Navy vessels.

    Iran has threatened further retaliation if the U.S. attacks additional Iranian assets, while Saudi-led coalition forces have said they will respond to attacks by Houthi forces.

    Separately, Tehran said an agreement with Oman over the management of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could be announced shortly.

    Pharmaceuticals and housing stocks decline

    Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) was among the largest individual decliners on Tuesday, falling more than 10% after Novartis (NYSE:NVS) released late-stage trial results for a competing cholesterol treatment.

    Weakness spread across the pharmaceutical sector, sending the NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical Index down 3.2%.

    Housing shares also came under pressure as Treasury yields increased. The Philadelphia Housing Sector Index declined 2.8%.

    Healthcare, biotechnology and airline stocks recorded further losses, while oil, semiconductor and networking shares were among the areas of the market that moved higher.

  • European stocks fall as Middle East strikes intensify and markets await ECB decision: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European stocks fall as Middle East strikes intensify and markets await ECB decision: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European equities moved lower on Wednesday following further military exchanges involving the U.S. and Iran, while investors also prepared for the European Central Bank’s monetary policy decision on Thursday.

    U.S. forces destroyed five Iranian tankers, while Iran subsequently launched missile strikes targeting Jordan, adding to the continuing conflict in the Middle East.

    Markets were also pricing in a 25-basis-point interest rate increase from the ECB at Thursday’s meeting.

    France’s CAC 40 fell 1.9%, Germany’s DAX declined 1.7% and the UK’s FTSE 100 was down 1.1%.

    Energy shares rise as Brent moves above $100

    Energy companies were among the stocks moving higher as Brent crude rose above $100 a barrel.

    BP Plc (LSE:BP.), Shell (LSE:SHEL) and TotalEnergies (EU:TTE) advanced as oil prices increased amid concerns about potential further disruption to global supplies from the Gulf region.

    Elsewhere, Swiss building materials company Holcim (TG:HLBN) declined after investing in Cloud Cycle, a UK-based start-up that provides a real-time data system for ready-mix concrete operations.

    French tubular solutions provider Vallourec (EU:VK) also traded lower after signing an agreement with Saudi Aramco to supply Oil Country Tubular Goods pipes.

    Victrex, Energean and Aberdeen move higher

    Victrex (LSE:VCT) rose after increasing its full-year pre-tax profit guidance and appointing an interim Chief Financial Officer.

    Energean (LSE:ENOG) also advanced after reporting a 45% increase in first-half profit.

    Aberdeen (LSE:ABDN) moved higher after appointing Torbjorn Magnusson as its new chair.

  • Molten Ventures: New Growth Fund Puts More Firepower Behind Europe’s Next Technology Leaders

    Molten Ventures: New Growth Fund Puts More Firepower Behind Europe’s Next Technology Leaders

    European technology companies may have no shortage of ambition, innovation or world-class ideas, but turning those ideas into global businesses requires something equally important: growth capital.

    For Molten Ventures (LSE:GROW), that need is creating a significant opportunity.

    The company has announced the first close of its new Growth Fund, bringing together £100 million from its listed balance sheet with a further £75 million cornerstone commitment from the British Business Bank. With an initial £175 million secured, Molten’s ambition is to scale the fund to as much as £350 million, providing substantially more capital to high-growth technology companies across the UK and Europe.

    Speaking on The Watch List, Molten Ventures CEO Ben Wilkinson described the fund as a continuation of a strategy the business has developed over the past decade.

    Molten has already invested more than £700 million across more than 40 deals through its Series B+ strategy, giving the new fund an established investment framework and a substantial body of experience to build upon.

    The key difference is additional firepower.

    By bringing external capital alongside Molten’s listed balance sheet, the company can increase its capacity to support businesses as they transition from promising technology companies into larger, internationally competitive scaleups.

    Backing Europe’s technology ambitions

    The timing of the fund is particularly interesting.

    Across Europe, there is increasing recognition that technological capability is becoming strategically important. Artificial intelligence, quantum computing and space technology are not simply commercial opportunities; they are increasingly linked to economic competitiveness, resilience and national sovereignty.

    Molten’s strategy is aimed squarely at this opportunity.

    The Growth Fund is focused on technology companies operating in areas including AI, space and quantum, where significant capital is often required to move from technological breakthrough to commercial scale.

    For investors, that creates the potential for Molten to participate in some of Europe’s most important emerging technology themes at a stage where access to growth capital can have a transformational impact.

    Space highlights the opportunity

    The space sector provides a particularly clear example.

    Europe’s growing push towards sovereign access to space is creating opportunities across the ecosystem, from satellite technology and communications through to launch infrastructure.

    Recent successful orbital launch activity has underlined the progress being made in European space technology and the strategic importance of developing domestic launch capability.

    For Molten, this is not a new theme.

    The company has been investing in the satellite ecosystem since 2018, when it first backed Finnish satellite business ICEYE, later adding UK-based Satellite Vu, before more recently expanding its exposure to launch capability through Isar Aerospace.

    That experience gives Molten an increasingly broad view of the space economy, rather than concentrating on a single part of the value chain.

    As Wilkinson explained, the development of new technologies and capabilities is opening up additional sub-sectors and, consequently, more potential investment opportunities.

    From European innovation to global scale

    Perhaps the most important element of the new Growth Fund is its focus on scale.

    Europe has consistently demonstrated its ability to produce innovative technology companies. The challenge has often been providing sufficient capital to allow those businesses to remain anchored in Europe while competing on a global stage.

    The Growth Fund is designed to address precisely that gap.

    With £175 million already committed and an ambition to reach £350 million, the fund has the potential to provide meaningful growth capital to companies entering an important stage of their development.

    For Molten, this also builds on a decade of investment experience and an existing portfolio of technology businesses.

    The combination of capital, sector expertise and an established European network could provide the company with a strong platform as demand for growth-stage technology investment continues to develop.

    A compelling intersection of capital and opportunity

    The new fund ultimately represents more than simply an increase in the amount of money Molten can deploy.

    It reinforces the company’s positioning at the intersection of several powerful long-term trends: artificial intelligence, quantum computing, space technology, European technological sovereignty and the growing requirement for substantial capital to scale innovative businesses.

    With the British Business Bank providing a significant cornerstone commitment, Molten has secured an important first step towards its £350 million target.

    The opportunity now is to put that capital to work.

    If Europe’s next generation of technology companies can translate innovation into global growth, Molten Ventures is positioning itself to be one of the investors helping them make that journey.

    For more information visit – https://www.moltenventures.com/

  • Crude prices rise as Brent closes in on $100 amid Middle East supply concerns

    Crude prices rise as Brent closes in on $100 amid Middle East supply concerns

    Oil prices advanced on Wednesday, taking Brent crude to within a dollar of $100 a barrel as traders monitored further military activity in the Middle East and possible disruption to regional exports.

    Brent futures gained 1.3% to $99.22 a barrel by 0614 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate was 1.2% higher at $94.13 a barrel.

    The international benchmark has risen by about 25% since early August. The increase has coincided with renewed fighting in the six-month conflict and reduced expectations of a permanent resolution.

    Saudi Arabia and shipping routes remain under scrutiny

    The latest escalation included strikes on several Saudi Arabian cities by Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen on Tuesday.

    U.S. forces separately struck multiple Iranian oil tankers, while Iran targeted a U.S. military base in Jordan and attacked ships.

    “Bullish momentum is building in crude markets as Brent crude approaches the psychologically important $100-per-barrel mark,” said Priyanka Sachdeva, head of market insights at Phillip Nova.

    The developments have added to existing uncertainty surrounding Middle Eastern oil flows following previous attacks on energy infrastructure and shipping routes.

    Saudi Arabia has rerouted some crude exports away from the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts said continued attacks on the country could complicate measures designed to maintain shipments to international markets.

    “Iran’s attacks on Saudi energy facilities and the subsequent destruction of five Iranian tankers raised concerns about another prolonged disruption to oil supplies,” OCBC analysts said in a note.

    Inflation impact monitored as crude prices increase

    Higher crude prices are also being assessed for their potential impact on inflation, particularly across Asian economies that import a significant proportion of their energy requirements.

    “$100 Brent should not be viewed simply as a psychological milestone. It is a warning level for the broader economy,” Sachdeva said.

    Brent’s approach toward $100 leaves energy infrastructure, shipping routes and the continuity of Middle Eastern crude exports among the factors being monitored by oil markets.

  • Gold gains 1.1% as softer dollar lifts spot price back above $4,400

    Gold gains 1.1% as softer dollar lifts spot price back above $4,400

    Spot gold rose above $4,400 an ounce on Wednesday as the U.S. dollar weakened, reversing part of the metal’s decline over the previous three trading sessions.

    At 22:04 ET (06:04 GMT), spot gold was up 1.1% at $4,402.41 an ounce. Gold futures increased 0.2% to $4,445.85.

    Silver and platinum also advanced, with spot silver gaining 1.5% to $66.76 an ounce and platinum rising 1.6% to $1,848.23. The U.S. Dollar Index declined 0.2% to 98.70.

    Fed expectations remain a focus for precious metals

    Gold’s advance followed a 2.6% decline over the preceding three sessions. Despite Wednesday’s recovery, prices remained below the levels recorded last week.

    Recent U.S. employment data had increased expectations that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates at its September 14-15 policy meeting. Market pricing indicated an approximately 60% probability of an increase this month.

    Higher interest rates and bond yields can affect demand for gold because the metal does not pay interest, increasing the relative returns available from interest-bearing assets.

    Attention is now turning to U.S. inflation figures due later in the week as markets assess their potential implications for the Federal Reserve’s next decision.

    Energy prices add to inflation considerations

    Developments in the Middle East also remained under scrutiny as investors assessed their implications for oil supplies and inflation.

    U.S. forces recently destroyed five Iranian tankers carrying crude near Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub, after an attempted missile strike against an American warship.

    Brent crude remained close to $100 a barrel. Energy prices are among the factors being monitored by markets ahead of the Federal Reserve’s September meeting because changes in energy costs can affect headline inflation.

    ANZ analysts said some investors appeared to be reducing gold exposure before the Federal Open Market Committee meeting, with higher energy prices contributing to increased bond yields. They also said central-bank demand for gold had continued.

    China’s central bank adds 650,000 ounces in August

    China’s central bank purchased approximately 650,000 ounces of gold during August, representing its largest monthly addition since 2023.

    Central-bank purchases are one source of demand being monitored alongside movements in interest rates, currencies and investment flows.

    Gold has remained around the $4,400 level since recovering from approximately $4,000 in July. Its latest decline took the price below the 200-day moving average.

    Markets are now assessing U.S. inflation data, Federal Reserve policy expectations, bond yields, energy prices and continued central-bank purchases for indications of the factors affecting precious-metal prices.

  • Brent briefly hits $100 as investors track Gulf conflict and interest rate outlook: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Wall Street Futures

    Brent briefly hits $100 as investors track Gulf conflict and interest rate outlook: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Wall Street Futures

    Brent crude briefly reached $100 a barrel on Wednesday as investors monitored further military exchanges involving the United States and Iran, while U.S. equity futures showed limited movement ahead of upcoming inflation data and central bank meetings.

    At 02:48 ET (06:48 GMT), S&P 500 futures were 6 points higher, equivalent to 0.1%, and Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 57 points, or 0.2%. Dow futures were little changed.

    The moves followed a lower close for U.S. equities on Tuesday amid attacks involving the U.S. and Iran and strikes on Saudi Arabia by Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen.

    Artificial intelligence developments also influenced trading. Market reaction to OpenAI’s GPT-6 Astra model weighed on software and services shares, while some semiconductor and data centre-related companies attracted buying interest.

    Meanwhile, the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yield remained just below 5%, close to its highest level in almost 20 years.

    The U.S. Treasury is due to implement an increase in longer-duration debt buybacks on Wednesday, with the size of purchases set to at least double to $4 billion per operation.

    Vital Knowledge analysts said the eventual repurchase amounts could exceed that level and be “perhaps as large as $10 billion.”

    Military activity continues around the Gulf

    Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it attacked a military base in Jordan used by U.S. forces and targeted 10 vessels on Wednesday.

    Iran said the strikes caused heavy damage, while Jordanian officials provided a different account. They said 18 of 20 Iranian missiles were intercepted, with two landing in unpopulated areas.

    The IRGC separately said two U.S. vessels and eight oil tankers had been targeted while attempting to pass through a section of the Strait of Hormuz that it described as “prohibited and unsafe.”

    According to the supplied report, commercial shipping through the Strait has effectively remained closed during the conflict.

    The attacks followed U.S. strikes that destroyed five Iranian oil tankers.

    U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking during a visit to Colombia, indicated that further exchanges could occur, saying Iran will “lose tankers” when it tries to “hit U.S. naval ships.”

    Oil markets monitor Hormuz developments

    Brent crude futures briefly traded at $100 a barrel before easing slightly to $99.91 at 03:16 ET, still up 2.0% on the session.

    Vital Knowledge analysts said continued U.S. efforts to transport non-Iranian crude through the Strait of Hormuz and expectations surrounding a possible shipping arrangement between Iran and Oman had moderated some of the upward pressure on prices.

    Oil prices are also being watched for their potential implications for inflation ahead of upcoming central bank decisions.

    The European Central Bank is expected to increase borrowing costs at its Thursday meeting as policymakers assess energy-related inflation pressures.

    Market pricing also indicated an approximately 60% probability that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates at its meeting next week.

    US-Canada trade measures take effect this month

    Trade policy was another focus after U.S. President Donald Trump signed orders restricting imports of certain Canadian goods.

    The measures cover products including alcoholic beverages, motorcycles and dairy products and are scheduled to take effect on September 29.

    The U.S. action followed retaliatory Canadian tariffs on American products that took effect on Tuesday. Those measures followed the introduction by Washington last month of 50% tariffs covering $20 billion of Canadian goods.

    Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said Canada should consider broadening its trade relationships beyond the United States as the dispute continues.

    Yen trades close to strongest level since February

    In foreign exchange markets, the Japanese yen remained near its strongest level in seven months.

    USD/JPY was trading around 153.18 after reaching 152.89 on Tuesday. The yen has appreciated by approximately 4% during September.

    Markets have been assessing expectations for additional monetary tightening from the Bank of Japan, the possibility of Japanese investors bringing overseas funds back into the country and U.S. pressure for a stronger Japanese currency.

    The U.S. dollar index remained close to a nearly two-week low as investors awaited Friday’s U.S. inflation report and next week’s Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan meetings.

  • European gas prices reach multi-year highs as Middle East conflict raises LNG supply concerns

    European gas prices reach multi-year highs as Middle East conflict raises LNG supply concerns

    European and British wholesale natural gas prices rose on Wednesday as markets assessed the potential impact of escalating military activity involving the United States and Iran on liquefied natural gas supplies through the Middle East.

    The front-month Dutch TTF contract reached €79 per megawatt-hour, its highest level since 2023.

    In Britain, the equivalent NBP wholesale gas contract rose to 196 pence per therm, reaching its highest level since late 2022.

    Markets assess Strait of Hormuz supply risks

    The increase in gas prices followed further military developments in the Middle East.

    Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen carried out attacks against several Saudi Arabian cities on Tuesday. The developments also included U.S. strikes against several Iranian oil tankers and an Iranian missile attack targeting a U.S. military base in Jordan.

    Energy markets are monitoring the potential implications for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for approximately 20% of global liquefied natural gas traffic, with Qatar a major source of LNG transported through the waterway.

    European utilities could face increased competition with Asian buyers for alternative LNG cargoes if shipments through the Persian Gulf are disrupted. Brent crude was also trading near $99.50 a barrel.

    European gas storage stands at around 64%

    The increase in wholesale gas prices comes as Europe approaches the end of its summer storage injection period with inventories below their five-year seasonal average.

    Data from Gas Infrastructure Europe showed underground storage facilities at approximately 64% of capacity.

    Storage replenishment during August and early September has been affected by higher gas demand for electricity generation during periods of hot weather, offshore pipeline maintenance in Norway and delays to Qatari LNG shipments.

    Higher natural gas and crude oil prices are also being monitored for their potential effect on European energy costs and inflation.

    The European Central Bank is due to announce its latest monetary policy decision on Thursday. Money markets were pricing in a 25-basis-point interest rate increase as investors assessed higher headline Eurozone inflation, including increases in energy prices.

  • Market Open: Mortgage Advice Bureau Cuts Guidance, Anpario Grows

    Market Open: Mortgage Advice Bureau Cuts Guidance, Anpario Grows

    UK markets open cautiously as Gulf tensions pressure shares, Mortgage Advice Bureau cuts guidance and Anpario reports earnings growth.

    Market Overview

    The FTSE 100 opened broadly unchanged at 10,811.44, down 0.002 per cent from its previous close, as escalating Middle East strikes and renewed concerns over regional oil supplies weighed on sentiment. The Euronext 100 gained 0.04 per cent to 1,921.92, while Germany’s DAX fell 0.57 per cent to 25,858.82 as investors also weighed the prospect of further ECB tightening. In the US, the Nasdaq closed lower at 26,421.41 and the S&P 500 declined to 7,673.52.

    Commodity moves were mixed, with copper and Brent crude lower at the market open, gold unchanged and natural gas slightly higher. Oil remained a key macro focus as escalating attacks in the Middle East heightened concerns over regional supply disruption. Against sterling, the US dollar, Swiss franc, euro and Australian dollar strengthened marginally, while the Japanese yen weakened slightly. Bitcoin was up.

    Market Numbers

    FTSE 100: Down (-0.002%), 10,811.44
    Euronext 100: Up (+0.04%), 1,921.92
    DAX: Down (-0.57%), 25,858.82
    NASDAQ: Down, 26,421.41
    S&P 500: Down, 7,673.52

    In the Headlines

    Guidance lowered – Mortgage Advice Bureau (LSE:MAB1)
    Mortgage Advice Bureau lowered its full-year 2026 adjusted profit before tax guidance to around £38 million, below market consensus, citing softer housing conditions and delayed lead flows at Fluent. The mortgage intermediary expects the delayed Fluent profit contribution to shift into 2027.

    Earnings growth – Anpario (LSE:ANP)
    Animal feed additives manufacturer Anpario reported first-half revenue growth of 7% to £24.3 million, while adjusted EBITDA increased 22% to £5.0 million. Growth in key brands and the Americas supported the performance, although weaker Asian demand and the Iran conflict created regional headwinds.

    Currencies (vs GBP)

    USD: Up (+0.01%), $1.3544
    CHF: Up (+0.004%), Fr.1.0958
    EUR: Up (+0.01%), €1.1648
    JPY: Down (-0.01%), ¥207.837
    AUD: Up (+0.003%), $1.8756
    Bitcoin (BTC/GBP): Up, £58,428.84

    Commodities

    Copper: Down
    Gold: Unchanged
    Brent Crude: Down
    Natural Gas: Up

  • European stocks fall as oil approaches $100 ahead of ECB rate decision: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European stocks fall as oil approaches $100 ahead of ECB rate decision: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European equities moved lower on Wednesday as investors assessed rising energy prices, further developments in the Middle East and expectations for an interest rate increase from the European Central Bank.

    The pan-European STOXX 600 declined 0.4%. Industrial, consumer discretionary and interest-rate-sensitive growth stocks were among the sectors trading lower, while energy and defence shares recorded gains.

    Germany’s DAX fell 0.4%, France’s CAC 40 declined 0.6% and London’s FTSE 100 was down 0.2%.

    Brent trades close to $100 amid Middle East developments

    Brent crude futures rose 1.6% to $99.49 a barrel, leaving the international oil benchmark close to the $100 level.

    The increase followed attacks on Tuesday by Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen against several cities in Saudi Arabia.

    The developments also included U.S. strikes against multiple Iranian oil tankers and an Iranian missile strike targeting a U.S. military base in Jordan.

    Oil markets have also been monitoring shipping disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and attacks affecting regional infrastructure as participants assess potential implications for Middle Eastern energy supplies.

    Higher crude prices can increase energy and input costs for European companies and households, adding to the inflation considerations facing investors and policymakers.

    Markets await ECB interest rate decision

    Money markets were pricing in an approximately 25-basis-point interest rate increase from the European Central Bank at Thursday’s policy meeting, which would take the deposit facility rate to 2.50%.

    Expectations for a rate increase followed preliminary Eurozone inflation figures showing an acceleration in headline consumer price inflation, including a double-digit increase in the energy component.

    Core European sovereign bond yields remained near multi-year highs as markets assessed the potential path of interest rates and inflation.

    Following Thursday’s ECB decision, investors will also be monitoring U.S. inflation data scheduled for later in the week.

  • Euro zone bond yields remain elevated as energy prices rise ahead of ECB decision

    Euro zone bond yields remain elevated as energy prices rise ahead of ECB decision

    Euro zone government bond yields remained near multi-year highs on Wednesday as investors assessed higher energy prices and expectations for an interest rate increase from the European Central Bank at its Thursday policy meeting.

    Germany’s benchmark 10-year Bund yield traded around 3.382%, remaining close to the highest level since August 2011 reached during the previous session.

    At the shorter end of the yield curve, Germany’s two-year Schatz yield was around 2.984%, near its highest level in two years.

    Money markets were pricing in an approximately 25-basis-point increase in ECB interest rates at Thursday’s meeting. Market participants were also assessing the potential implications of higher energy import costs for inflation and the future path of monetary policy.

    Energy prices remained a focus for European bond markets. Brent crude traded just below $100 a barrel following an escalation in the Middle East and developments affecting shipping routes in the Persian Gulf.

    European natural gas prices were also elevated. Dutch TTF wholesale natural gas futures traded close to their highest levels since 2022 amid delayed liquefied natural gas shipments and concerns surrounding the replenishment of storage inventories ahead of the winter heating season.

    The moves followed attacks on Tuesday by Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen against several Saudi Arabian cities.

    The developments also included U.S. strikes against multiple Iranian oil tankers and an Iranian missile strike targeting a U.S. military base in Jordan.

    Alongside Thursday’s ECB interest rate decision, bond market participants are awaiting U.S. Producer Price Index and Consumer Price Index data scheduled for later in the week.