07:43 AM EDT, 03/09/2026 (MT Newswires) -- European bourses tracked lower midday Monday as traders weighed the ongoing Middle East war, and Brent crude prices topping $105 a barrel.

Investors saw no signs of when oil tankers will be able to pass through the blocked Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Iran, through which 20% of global petroleum is transported.

Additionally, in Tehran reputed hardliner Mojtaba Khamenei has replaced his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the Supreme Leader of Iran, perhaps dimming even faint hopes of a regional peace deal.

Property and tech stocks led broad losses on continental trading floors.

Investors also eyed Wall Street futures flashing red, and lower closes overnight on Asian exchanges, including a 5.2% reverse on Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index.

In economic news, the Eurozone investor confidence index fell to negative 3.1 in March, down from a positive 4.2 in February, in the "first indication" of changes in mood following the outbreak of the Iran war, reported Sentix.

The pan-continental Stoxx Europe 600 Index was off 1.7% mid-session.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index was down 1.9%, and the Stoxx 600 Banks Index lost 2%.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Oil and Gas Index eased 0.2%, while the Stoxx 600 Europe Food and Beverage Index declined 1.2%.

The REITE, a European REIT index, fell 3.9%, while the Stoxx Europe 600 Retail Index was down 1.8%.

On the national market indexes, Germany's DAX was down 1.5%, and the FTSE 100 in London lost 1.8%. The CAC 40 in Paris was down 1.9%, and Spain's IBEX 35 eased 1.8%.

Yields on benchmark 10-year German bonds were higher, near 2.89%.

Front-month North Sea Brent crude-oil futures were up 13.5% at $105.17 a barrel.

The Euro Stoxx 50 volatility index was up 11.4% at 34.79, indicating above-average volatility for European stock markets in the next 30 days, a negative signal. A reading above 20 indicates choppier markets ahead, while below 20 suggests calmer exchanges.

http://www.mtnewswires.com
Copyright © 2026 MT Newswires. All rights reserved. MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.