European equities opened with cautious optimism on Thursday, as gains in Milan and Frankfurt offset muted sentiment in London. Meanwhile, activity across Middle Eastern and African exchanges remained steady, with investors weighing global rate expectations, energy prices and regional trade flows.
Europe sees positive start
The Italian FTSE MIB led the way in early trading, climbing by around 0.6 per cent. Gains were driven by heavyweight stocks including Stellantis and STMicroelectronics, while the Mid-Cap and Small-Cap indices also registered rises of 0.7 per cent. The DAX in Frankfurt opened modestly higher, in line with expectations, while the pan-European Stoxx 600 remained broadly unchanged as investors monitored inflation updates and upcoming eurozone economic data.
London opens steadily
The London Stock Exchange began the day on schedule, with trading between 08:00 and 16:30. Market direction was muted, reflecting both global caution and investor focus on UK macroeconomic announcements later this week. Traders reported a balanced session, with financial and consumer goods sectors offsetting weakness in utilities.
Middle Eastern exchanges stable
In the Arab region, exchanges in Riyadh, Doha and Tel Aviv opened under normal conditions. With markets operating Sunday to Thursday, Thursday’s session typically draws lighter volumes. No major dislocations were reported at the start of trading, though investors remain attuned to oil price fluctuations and their impact on energy-linked stocks.
African market activity steady
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in South Africa opened its regular session at 09:00 local time, with early trading showing limited movement. Market participants pointed to global drivers – particularly commodity prices – as setting the tone, with mining and energy shares seen as the main focus for investors in the region.
Outlook remains cautious
Across all four regions, investors are assessing central bank policy paths, corporate earnings and global trade developments. While Europe managed to secure early gains, London sentiment remained subdued. In both the Middle East and Africa, trading conditions were steady, underscoring the wider theme of cautious positioning at the start of the day.
REFH – Newshub, 28 August 2025
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