LONDON — European stocks are expected to open lower on Friday as investors digest ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Futures tied to the U.K.’s FTSE 100 were last seen 0.13% lower, Germany’s DAX 0.4% lower, and France CAC 0.3% in the red, according to data from IG Group.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 finished the previous session 0.6% higher, with most major bourses and sectors in positive territory.
The benchmark was lifted by semiconductor stocks, with Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASML popping as much as 7% amid positive results from TSMC. It closed 6% higher. ASM International advanced 11.2%, and BE Semiconductor gained 7.3% Thursday.
Just a few days after a U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia judge gave Orsted the go-ahead to resume work on its nearly-finished Revolution Wind project, Equinor has been cleared by the same district to resume work on its Empire Wind project. The Trump administration halted five major offshore wind developments at the end of last year.
European troops arrived in Greenland late Thursday, as Trump pushes for the acquisition or annexation of the world’s largest island. A White House meeting over the Danish territory’s future on Wednesday ended without a diplomatic breakthrough, although the U.S., Denmark and Greenland have agreed to keep talking.
Energy markets have been volatile recently as investors weigh a violent crackdown on civil unrest in oil-rich Iran and Washington’s response, which includes possible tariffs on Iran’s trading partners. March futures for the global benchmark Brent crude oil were last seen 3.44% lower, trading at $63.49 per barrel.
Silver and gold have been on a tear as investors seek safer bets amid concerns of Federal Reserve Independence. Futures for March and February tied to the metals, however, were last seen 1.91% and 0.28% down, respectively.
— CNBC’s Chloe Taylor and Sam Meredith contributed to this report.
