Markets across Europe, London, the Arab Gulf and Africa opened as scheduled on Monday, 1 September 2025, with investors closely monitoring the first trading day of the month. Early moves suggested a cautious but steady sentiment, with London’s FTSE 100 supported by defence and mining stocks, while regional exchanges in the Gulf and Africa operated without disruption.
European markets open without surprises
Exchanges across continental Europe, including Euronext hubs in Paris, Amsterdam and Milan, alongside Frankfurt’s DAX and Stockholm’s OMX, began the week in regular session. Trading hours followed the standard 09:00–17:30 CEST range. Early indications pointed to restrained gains, reflecting expectations of increased volatility in September, a month historically marked by shifting global flows.
| Exchange | Status | Trading hours (local) |
|---|---|---|
| Euronext (Paris, Amsterdam, Milan) | Open | 09:00–17:30 CEST |
| Frankfurt (DAX) | Open | 09:00–17:30 CEST |
| Stockholm (OMX) | Open | 09:00–16:30 CEST |
London gains in defence and mining strength
The London Stock Exchange opened its normal session from 08:00 to 16:30 BST. Early trading saw the FTSE 100 edging higher, supported by precious metal miners and defence-related stocks. The move followed a strong August for UK equities, though investors remain cautious over inflationary pressures and the monetary policy outlook.
| Exchange | Status | Trading hours (local) | Early sentiment |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Stock Exchange (LSE) | Open | 08:00–16:30 BST | Mild gains, defence & miners up |
Arab markets are active on a regular schedule
Across the Gulf, stock exchanges in Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Abu Dhabi also traded on schedule. The Tadawul, Dubai Financial Market and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange all operate Sunday through Thursday, making Monday a routine trading day. No significant regional disruptions were reported, with investors in the Gulf continuing to track oil price movements and currency shifts.
| Market | Status | Trading week | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Tadawul | Open | Sun–Thu | Stable session start |
| Dubai (DFM) | Open | Sun–Thu | Energy-driven focus |
| Abu Dhabi (ADX) | Open | Sun–Thu | Regional trading steady |
African exchanges maintain regular hours
In Africa, major exchanges, including the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the Nairobi Securities Exchange were open. The JSE traded between 09:00 and 16:50 local time, while Nairobi’s market followed its 09:00 to 15:00 schedule. Both began the week with normal operations, amid investor focus on commodity-linked earnings and regional growth forecasts.
| Exchange | Status | Trading hours (local) |
|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) | Open | 09:00–16:50 SAST |
| Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) | Open | 09:00–15:00 EAT |
Outlook for September
Globally, September is historically regarded as a volatile period for equities, often influenced by post-summer repositioning, macroeconomic data and policy announcements. Early signals across the European, Arab and African markets suggest steady conditions, though traders remain alert to potential shifts in investor sentiment as the month progresses.
REFH – Newshub, 1 September 2025
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