European equities moved lower on Thursday as a sharp rise in oil prices intensified fears about inflation. Brent crude, the global benchmark, briefly climbed above $100 per barrel amid supply concerns following Iranian attacks on commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.
The conflict involving U.S. airstrikes in Iran entered its thirteenth day with little indication that tensions are easing.
Among major indices, France’s CAC 40 Index declined 0.5%, the U.K.’s FTSE 100 Index slipped 0.4%, and Germany’s DAX Index fell 0.3%.
In corporate developments, Swiss Life Holding (BIT:1SLHN), one of Europe’s largest life insurers, dropped after its fee-based business moved further away from a key three-year target and its asset management division reported a decline in 2025.
German carmaker BMW (TG:BMW) also traded lower after reporting a 3% drop in full-year net profit.
By contrast, reinsurer Hannover Re (TG:A30VQR) gained ground after announcing higher full-year net income and reaffirming its outlook for 2026.
Daimler Truck Holding (TG:DTG) also rose after guiding for a broadly stable profit margin in its industrial operations for 2026.
Online fashion retailer Zalando (TG:ZAL) moved sharply higher following the release of better-than-expected fiscal 2025 results.
Meanwhile, financial services group Legal & General (LSE:LGEN) advanced after announcing the launch of the first tranche of its £1.2 billion share buyback program.
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