12:05 PM EDT, 05/21/2026 (MT Newswires) -- The European stock markets closed mixed in Thursday trading as investors cautiously monitor hostilities in the Middle East, which continues to spark significant volatility in stock and oil prices.

The Stoxx Europe gained 0.3%, Germany's DAX was off 0.1%, the FTSE 100 increased 0.1%, France's CAC was little changed, and the Swiss Market Index was 0.5% higher.

Eurozone private sector business activity contracted for the second straight month as the S&P Global Flash Eurozone Composite PMI Output Index declined to 47.5 in May from 48.8 in April.

"May's flash PMI survey data show the eurozone economy taking an increasingly severe toll from the war in the Middle East," S&P Global Market Intelligence Chief Business Economist Chris Williamson said in a statement. "Job losses are also starting to become worryingly widespread as business confidence in any swift turnaround in the adverse economic climate fades further."

And in corporate news, Stellantis said Thursday that it is launching a 60 billion euro ($69.7 billion) five-year plan to accelerate growth and increase profits.

Stellantis also said Thursday it is launching STLA One, a modular vehicle architecture to support multiple powertrains and vehicle sizes. Shares of Stellantis fell over 1% in Paris.

Shell, BP, PT Perusahaan Gas Negara, and PT PLN Energi Primer Indonesia signed agreements with Japan's Inpex for liquified natural gas offtake from the Abadi LNG Project at the Masela Block in offshore Indonesia, Inpex said Wednesday.

Inpex also reached a deal in principle with PT Pupuk Indonesia regarding pipeline natural gas supply from the Abadi LNG Project, the company said.

Shares of Shell were off 0.3%, while BP rose 0.4% in London.

Equinor and BP joint venture Aker BP have agreed on several transactions to boost production across their portfolio on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, the companies said Thursday.

Under the agreement, Equinor will divest a 19% interest in several discoveries in the Ringvei Vest area to Aker BP. Shares of Equinor fell 1.2% in Oslo.

Nokia launched an AI networking innovation lab in California, the company said Thursday. Shares advanced 2.6% in Helsinki.

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