European Shares Expected to Decline Amid Greenland Geopolitical Tensions

European stock markets are projected to open lower on January 19, 2026, as concerns over geopolitical tensions involving Greenland weighed on investor sentiment. The decline follows renewed speculation about foreign interest in the Arctic territory, particularly from non-NATO nations, raising security and resource access fears. The pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 0.7% in pre-market trading, with mining and defense sectors leading losses. Shares of Anglo American (AA.) dropped 1.4%, while Norwegian energy firm Equinor (EQNR) slid 1.1% amid worries over disrupted supply chains and increased military spending expectations across Nordic countries. Analysts at Goldman Sachs noted that "any escalation in Arctic strategic competition could pressure commodity-linked equities and increase risk premiums." Investors are now awaiting a statement from NATO’s defense ministers scheduled for January 20, which may clarify alliance posture on Greenland's sovereignty and mineral resources.