After a flat start, the Switzerland market gained in strength and stayed positive right through the trading session on Tuesday, in line with markets across Europe.
European stocks closed higher on Tuesday as oil prices fell sharply after U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the ceasefire holds at present despite Iranian attacks against the United Arab Emirates. Investors also digested a slew of earnings updates from European companies.
The major European markets, with the exception UK, are gaining some ground in positive territory on Tuesday despite an escalation in tensions on the Middle East. Disappointing earnings from HSBC Holdings weigh on the banking sector in the UK market, contributing to its weakness.
UK stock market's benchmark index FTSE 100 tumbled on Tuesday, weighed down by disappointing earnings from HSBC Holdings and escalating tensions in the Middle East as U.S. and Iran indulge in attacks around the Strait of Hormuz.
France's equity benchmark CAC 40 moved higher on Tuesday as investors reacted to some corporate earnings news. The mood in the market remained a bit cautious due to an escalation in tensions in the Middle East.
Despite rising tensions in the Middle East, German stocks climbed higher on Tuesday as investors reacted to a slew of earnings updates and other corporate news.
Efforts to restore shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and the resultant escalation in tensions in the Middle East are expected to weigh on stock markets in Europe on Tuesday.
The Switzerland stock market closed notably lower on Monday, in line with most of the markets across Europe, as Middle East tensions and U.S. President Donald Trump's fresh tariff threats rendered the mood a bit bearish.
European stocks closed mostly weak on Monday as Middle East tensions and fresh tariff threats by U.S. President Donald Trump weighed on investor sentiment.
European stocks are showing weakness on Monday amid renewed concerns about tariffs after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened that he will hike levies on European cars and trucks to 25% from the existing 15% rate, saying the European Union had failed to fully comply with a trade agreement negotiated with the US.
The French stock market slipped into negative territory on Monday weighed down by continued uncertainty surrounding U.S.-Iran peace efforts, and fresh tariff threats by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The German market's benchmark index DAX gained ground in positive territory in cautious trade Monday morning, with investors following the latest developments in the Middle East and assessing U.S. President Donald Trump's threat that he would increase tariffs on EU cars and trucks to 25%.
Stock markets in Europe are expected to open higher on Monday amidst positive sentiment generated by strong corporate earnings from the tech sector. AI enthusiasm and hopes of further progress in U.S.-Iran peace talks has also bolstered market sentiment.
The UK stock market closed roughly flat on Friday when the rest of the markets, except Denmark, remained shut for May Day holiday. Investors largely reacted to corporate earnings updates. Geopolitical news were in focus as well.
The UK stock market's benchmark index FTSE 100 fell on Friday, weighed down by losses in financial and mining sectors. Worries about the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East weighed as well on sentiment.
May 01, 2026 15:54 ET Central banks dominated the economics news flow this week with almost all major ones announcing their latest policy decisions and many boosted expectations for a rate hike in June. In other news, several countries released the preliminary data for first quarter economic growth. In the U.S., comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell were also in focus as his term ends this month.