European stock markets close higher as Middle East tensions weigh

On Friday, July 10, 2026, the pan‑European Stoxx Europe 600 edged up 0.04% to 641.1 points. Major indices in London, Paris and Milan also rose – the FTSE 100 gained 0.24% to 10,497.29, the CAC 40 rose 0.15% to 8,338.97 and the FTSE MIB advanced 0.44% to 52,614.17. Germany’s DAX was the exception, slipping about 0.2% to 25,067.09 (some reports noted a 0.13% fall to 25,085). The euro/dollar pair inched higher to 1.14.

Investors cited the latest flare‑up of U.S.–Iran hostilities in the Middle East, after the U.S. Central Command reported strikes on roughly 90 Iranian targets and Iran responded with attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain. President Donald Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, said Iran “very much wants a deal” and that the cease‑fire agreed in April had “ended.” The volatility was tempered by a sharp fall in oil prices, which helped support equity markets.

In parallel, the European Commission announced several policy moves: a disciplinary procedure against Bulgaria over budget deficits, anti‑dumping duties of up to 45.3% on Chinese‑made vehicle tyres, and charges that Meta’s platforms breach digital‑rule design standards. U.S. private‑equity firm Apollo made a £5.7 billion proposal to acquire easyJet, prompting renewed share activity in the airline.

Overall, European equities finished the week mixed but with most major markets in the green, while geopolitical and regulatory developments continued to shape investor sentiment.