European stocks set to open flat as oil volatility and geopolitical tensions dominate trading. The FTSE 100 is expected to rise 0.1% while Germany's DAX, France's CAC 40, and Italy's FTSE MIB remain largely unchanged. Oil prices have become increasingly unstable following reports of U.S. coalition plans to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and discussions regarding Iranian tanker passage. WTI crude declined below $95 per barrel on Monday before jumping over 2% overnight as uncertainty persists. Markets are now focused on the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting beginning Tuesday, with traders expecting the central bank to maintain interest rates despite sustained pressure from political figures to lower them. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to weigh heavily on investor sentiment and market direction across the region.
