Tensions in the Middle East Pressure European Stocks

European stocks stabilized today, Monday, ahead of earnings reports and an anticipated European Central Bank meeting on monetary policy this week, but tensions in the Middle East kept investors on edge. Geopolitical concerns affected sentiment, with Washington warning of a significant threat to U.S. interests in the Middle East, while pressures increased due to a surge in government bond yields. Among the main movers today, Philips shares rose by one percent as the Dutch health technology company raised its full-year forecasts. Endeavour's shares jumped six percent after the pharmaceutical company announced it would pay $385 million to settle a lawsuit. However, energy stocks fell by 0.8 percent, following a decline in crude oil prices, which limited gains. The Stoxx 600 index rose by 0.1 percent by 07:03 GMT, after dropping more than three percent in the previous week. Throughout the week, investors will focus on earnings from major U.S. technology companies like Microsoft and Alphabet, while the European Central Bank's interest rate decision on Thursday will also be in the spotlight.