EUROPEAN shares slipped on Wednesday as the evolving situation in the Middle East kept investors cautious, while they also assessed a range of corporate earnings.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 index dipped 0.4 per cent to 617.27 points.

Most major regional bourses were lower, with Spain’s IBEX 35 down 0.5 per cent, while France’s CAC slipped 0.6 per cent. Markets weighed conflicting headlines, after US President Donald Trump said the war with Iran could end soon. However, Iran’s joint military command warned it would act to disrupt trade flows in the Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea if the US blockade of its ports continued.

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/capital-markets-currencies/european-equities-dip-investors-track-mideast-updates-corporate-earnings