European stock indices showed mixed performance at the start of trading on Tuesday as traders monitored developments in the Middle East and Ukraine amid renewed volatility in oil markets.
In terms of trading, the Stoxx 600 index rose slightly to 632 points.
Germany’s DAX fell 0.2% to 25,322 points, while Britain’s FTSE rose 0.8% to 10,545 points, and France’s CAC fell 0.4% to 8,221 points.
The divergence in European markets comes after strong gains on Monday, while British markets were closed for a holiday yesterday.
The Stoxx 600 index ended trading yesterday at its highest level in 10 months.
On Monday, the United States carried out strikes targeting Iranian boats that were attempting to plant mines and missile launch sites, in what were described as defensive operations.
The Strait of Hormuz must be opened in some way or another, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Rubio emphasizes the need for the straits to remain open.
Regarding the agreement with Iran, the US Secretary of State stated that negotiating the wording of the agreement with Iran could take a few days.
On the corporate front, shares of luxury carmaker Ferrari fell 7% at the start of the session before paring losses to less than half a percentage point, after it unveiled its first fully electric car.
The new car is a departure from Ferrari's traditional design, and comes at a time when rival companies such as Porsche and Lamborghini have postponed their plans to launch electric cars due to weak demand.
