This Tuesday, European stock markets are expected to open in the green. Oil prices are stabilizing following reports from the Wall Street Journal that US President Donald Trump is considering ending the war with Iran even without reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
 

On Monday evening, Engie announced it had won new electricity transmission concessions in Brazil. The energy group won two lots in a tender from the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency, with a final authorized annual revenue of 122.7 million reais, or 20.4 million euros.

Pharmaceutical company Sanofi announced on Tuesday that the European Commission had approved its drug Rezurock for the treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease. This authorization applies to adults and children aged 12 and over, weighing at least 40 kilograms.

Kering announced on Monday that it had finalized its initial 20% stake acquisition in Italian jeweler Raselli Franco Group for 115 million euros. "In accordance with the terms announced on December 18, 2025, the agreement provides a precise timeline allowing for its full acquisition by 2032," the luxury group stated in a press release.
Around 7:30 AM, the CAC 40 futures contract gained 0.5%, according to data from broker IG.
  

This morning, as investors monitor the evolving war in the Middle East and await a series of economic indicators for March, a period covering the first weeks of the conflict, European equity futures are broadly advancing. Around 7:30 AM, the DAX 40 futures contract in Frankfurt gained 0.6%, while the FTSE 100 in London was stable, according to data from broker IG.  

According to US administration officials, Donald Trump told his aides he was prepared to end the military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed.

In recent days, Donald Trump and his aides have concluded that a mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz would prolong the conflict beyond the anticipated four to six weeks. The president judged that the United States must achieve its main objectives, namely neutralizing Iran's naval capabilities and missile program, and ending current hostilities while diplomatically pressuring Tehran to allow navigation to resume. Should this fail, Washington would pressure its allies in Europe and the Gulf to take the lead in reopening the strait, according to officials cited by the newspaper.

Around 7:30 AM, New York Stock Exchange futures were sharply higher. The Dow Jones index futures and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.8%, while S&P 500 futures rose 0.7%. On Monday, the New York Stock Exchange closed broadly lower, as fears of a prolonged war in Iran created new tensions on oil prices.
New York Fed President John Williams indicated on Monday evening that the war in Iran would likely push inflation higher in the coming months, but that the current level of interest rates would allow the central bank to wait and see if these tensions persist.
In a speech delivered in New York, John Williams stated that the Middle East conflict had "added a great deal of uncertainty" and had already begun to push prices higher. This effect will likely reverse after the conflict ends, the central banker estimated. But he warned that as long as the conflict persists, it could create a complex economic shock capable of both fueling inflation and slowing economic growth.
However, "the current stance of monetary policy is well positioned to balance the risks surrounding our goals of maximum employment and price stability," John Williams affirmed, according to the published text of his speech.
In Asia, Tokyo Stock Exchange's Nikkei index lost 0.9% late on Tuesday. The Shanghai Composite index fell 0.2%, while Hong Kong Stock Exchange's Hang Seng declined 0.5%.
China's private sector activity returned to growth in March, according to official PMI indices.
The manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 50.4 this month, up from 49 in February, ending two consecutive months of declining activity, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics. China's non-manufacturing PMI, which covers both services and construction activity, stood at 50.1 this month, up from 49.5 in February.
Economists had expected a rebound in activity in March, following the long Lunar New Year break in February.
  

The two-year bond yield fell by 2 basis points, to 3.82%. Around 7:30 AM, the yield on the ten-year US Treasury bond lost 3 basis points, to 4.33%.  

Holdings in Middle Eastern oil-producing countries are reducing their deposits, which represent official foreign demand, and have fallen to their lowest levels since 2012, according to BofA Securities strategists. These holdings have also dropped by $66 billion since the beginning of March, BofA strategists Meghan Swiber and Eleanor Xiao indicate.
Middle Eastern oil exporters – who own about 3.5% of total US Treasury securities held by foreign investors, or just over $300 billion – could be contributing to this decline, they add. Saudi Arabia is among the main Middle Eastern oil exporters holding US Treasury bonds.
  

The greenback lost 0.1% against the Japanese currency, at 159.59 yen. Around 7:30 AM, the euro gained 0.1%, at 1.1470 dollars.  

This morning, crude oil prices are stabilizing. The May contract for light sweet crude (WTI) traded on Nymex rose by 23 cents, or 0.2%, to $103.11 per barrel. Around 7:30 AM, the June contract for North Sea Brent crude traded in London gained 22 cents, or 0.2%, to $107.61 per barrel.

According to Kuwaiti state media, citing the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, a Kuwaiti oil tanker was hit by Iranian forces while anchored off the port of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in an incident highlighting tensions in Gulf waters.