24.03.202608:35:02UTC+00European Stocks Cautiously Higher

European equities inched higher on Tuesday, with the STOXX 50 up 0.1% and the STOXX 600 advancing 0.4%, extending the previous session’s gains. Sentiment was underpinned by cautious optimism that the conflict with Iran might de-escalate, amid reports of ongoing communication and diplomatic efforts to halt the war. Nonetheless, uncertainty and volatility are expected to remain elevated. The situation is still fragile, with continued strikes and no clear evidence of easing tensions. Iran has maintained its attacks on US bases in the Gulf and insists that no negotiations with the United States are taking place. Meanwhile, oil prices appear to be stabilising, continuing to rise but at a more moderate pace. At the sector level, energy and basic materials outperformed, while industrials and financials lagged. Among individual stocks, ASML Holding (+1.4%), Shell (+1.1%), L’Oréal (+1.3%), Hermès (+1.6%), and TotalEnergies (+1.1%) posted gains, whereas SAP (-2.4%), Airbus (-0.8%), and Rolls-Royce (-1.9%) declined.