European markets fluctuate amid Ukraine-Russia tensions
LONDON — European stocks were choppy on Thursday as tensions remained high over the Russia-Ukraine crisis
| TICKER | COMPANY | NAME | PRICE | CHANGE | %CHANGE | VOLUME |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .FTSE | FTSE 100 | *FTSE | 7317.34 | -112.22 | -1.51 | 757549081 |
| .GDAXI | DAX | *DAX | 13815.25 | -184.86 | -1.32 | 77550034 |
| .FCHI | CAC 40 Index | CAC | 6454.15 | -43.87 | -0.68 | 79630397 |
The pan-European Stoxx 600 was down 0.4% by mid-afternoon, having gained around 0.5% at the open. Utilities fell 2.5% to lead losses while basic resources jumped 2.3% as raw material prices rose
The indecisive trade for European stocks comes amid heightened fears for Ukraine’s future with more reports of explosions in the capital Kyiv overnigh
Earlier this week a huge column of Russian military vehicles was making its way towards the capital prompting concerns that Russia would soon launch a large-scale attack on the city
Ukraine’s second biggest city, Kharkiv, suffered heavy bombardment on Wednesday, while Kherson’s mayor said Russian forces have seized control of the key port city in southern Ukraine
Russia’s week-long invasion was denounced by the United Nations in a historic vote and dozens of countries referred Moscow to be probed for potential war crimes
Shares in Asia-Pacific were largely higher in Thursday trade after U.S. stocks bounced back on Wednesday, and U.S. stock index futures were higher during premarket trading
Oil prices reversed course by mid-afternoon in Europe following a price surge in recent days. International benchmark Brent crude futures was down 1.8% to just below $111 per barrel, after earlier rising as high as $118.22 per barrel. U.S. crude futures also fell 1.7% to $108.50 per barrel
OPEC and its allies decided Wednesday to hold production steady despite the recent dramatic spike in oil prices
Earnings came from Merck, Telecom Italia, Prudential and Aviva
Austrian retail bank Erste Group climbed 9.9% by mid-afternoon in Europe to lead the Stoxx 600
At the bottom of the European blue chip index, Anglo-Russian miner Polymetal International continued to crash due to its Russian exposure, shedding more than 32%
Societe Generale said Thursday it would be able to cope it its Russian business was to be stripped away. The French lender said its exposure in Russia totaled 18 billion euros ($19.97 billion). Shares added 0.5% by afternoon deals
