Overview
- European shares fell Friday following Thursday's reports of U.S. strikes on Iranian military sites and fresh clashes near the Strait of Hormuz.
- Paris swung hard this week, with the CAC 40 up 2.94% Wednesday, down 1.17% Thursday, then off 1.09% Friday to 8,112.57 points on thin holiday trading.
- Brent crude rebounded to $100.44 a barrel by 07:20 GMT Friday after a steep drop the day before, showing how supply fears quickly flip oil prices.
- Hopes rose after President Donald Trump said Wednesday a peace deal with Iran was “very possible,” but Tehran’s chief negotiator accused Washington of seeking its “surrender,” and Washington is still awaiting a formal response.
- Company news added cross‑currents in Paris, with Legrand rising on strong profits while Engie and Bouygues fell after updates that underwhelmed investors.