European stocks opened lower Monday as geopolitical tensions escalated following Trump's ultimatum to Iran. The Stoxx 600 fell 0.7% with major bourses across London, Frankfurt, Paris and Milan trading in negative territory. Oil prices surged on escalation fears, with Brent crude jumping 1.57% to $110.97 per barrel and WTI rising 1.89% to $107.41. Energy stocks bucked the broader decline, gaining 0.7%, while media stocks added 1.1%. The market turmoil extended to bond markets, where 10-year U.S. Treasury yields hit a 15-month high of 4.6073%, reflecting investor concerns about inflation and economic stability. Ryanair shares dropped 3.3% despite reporting a 40% profit increase, as the airline braces for potential fuel cost volatility. The G7 finance ministers are meeting in Paris Monday to address these mounting economic pressures amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
