European markets opened mixed Tuesday as investors weighed geopolitical tensions and corporate earnings. The Stoxx 600 edged lower while oil prices climbed amid uncertainty over potential Iran peace negotiations. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 declined 0.1%, Germany's DAX fell 0.2%, and France's CAC 40 dropped 0.3%, though Italy's FTSE MIB gained 0.5%. Major earnings reports pressured individual stocks, with Barclays shares falling 2.7% after revealing a £200 million loss from property lending exposure, despite posting a £2.81 billion first-quarter pre-tax profit. The bank announced a £500 million share buyback and plans to return over £15 billion to shareholders through 2028. Meanwhile, oil markets remained volatile as investors assessed Trump's discussions regarding Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for lifting U.S. blockades.
