Major European Markets Close On Subdued Note

(RTTNews) - European stocks struggled for direction for much of the trading session on Monday as investors largely refrained from making big moves amid concerns about global economic growth due to continued uncertainty about tariffs and the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict.

Investors eyed Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's Jackson Hole speech for directional clues, and also looked ahead to chip giant Nvidia's earnings update and the Trump administration's announcement of new sanctions against Iran and its trading partners.

A lack of earnings and economic data also contributed to the rather lackluster show by most of the markets in the region. The UK market outperformed major peers, thanks largely to gains in the mining sector and selective buying at several other counters.

The pan European Stoxx 600 ended flat. The UK's FTSE 100 moved up 0.35%, while Germany's DAX and France's CAC 40 closed lower by 0.11% and 0.37%, respectively. Switzerland's SMI edged down 0.07%.

Among other markets in Europe, Austria, Finland, Greece, Norway, Russia, Sweden and Türkiye closed weak.

Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Spain ended higher.

In the UK market, Diageo, LSEG, Airtel Africa, Pearson, Weir, IAG, Unilever, Intercontinental Hotels Group and Hiscox gained 2%-3.1%.

Endeavour Mining, Antofagasta, Coca-Cola HBC, Haleon, Whitbread, Bunzl, Relx, Standard Charterd, British American Tobacco, Aviva, 3i Group, Prudential, Anglo American Plc, Smith & Nephew, JD Sports Fashion, Legal & General and IG Group also ended notably higher.

BP, Polar Capital Technology Trust and Babcock International closed lower by 2.9%, 2.5% and 2.1%, respectively. Melrose Industries, GSK, BAE Systems and AstraZeneca also ended weak.

In the German market, Beiersdorf, Deutsche Bank, Daimler Truck Holding, Symrise, Brenntag, BASF, Commerzbank, Gea Group, Deutsche Boerse and Allianz gained 1%-2.2%.

Infineon, Qiagen, Siemens Energy, Rheinmetall, Volkswagen, Fresenius and Vonovia ended weak.

In the French market, Edenred climbed nearly 2.5%. Publicis Groupe, L'Oreal, LVMH, Accor, Michelin, Carrefour, Bureau Veritas and Dassault Systemes gained 1%-1.8%.

Stellantis shed about 4.7%. STMicroelectronics, TotalEnergies, Schneider Electric, Saint-Gobain, Renault, Legrand and Safran also ended weak.