European Shares Slip 0.4% on Middle East Tensions; US-China Talks in Focus

European shares edged lower on September 24, 2026, as investors weighed persistent Middle East tensions and awaited a high-stakes US-China trade summit. The pan-European STOXX 600 fell 0.4% to 637.56 points by 0710 GMT, with most regional bourses trading down. Brent crude futures held above $100 per barrel as traders reassessed supply risks tied to the conflict. Iranian officials communicated with US envoys at the UN General Assembly, but both sides signalled little progress. European energy shares gained 0.3%, while aerospace and defence stocks led declines, dragged by Saab and Hensoldt. Markets also focused on a summit between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping for signs of progress on trade relations. In single-stock moves, Shelly Group rose 6.2% after Schneider announced a €1.2 billion ($1.4 billion) takeover bid for the Bulgarian smart-device maker. H&M fell 2.5% despite reporting a bigger-than-expected June-August operating profit.