European Stocks Flat as Investors Await US-Iran Talks; Oil Rebounds

European shares opened subdued on Tuesday as investors awaited developments on potential US-Iran talks, while oil prices rose for the first time in five sessions. The pan-European STOXX 600 was flat at 642.32 points by 0710 GMT on September 22, 2026. Most regional bourses were also muted. Energy stocks gained 0.4%, tracking oil's rise, as investors monitored potential US-Iran discussions at the United Nations General Assembly this week after additional supplies emerged through the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend. Retail shares outperformed, up 1.3%, lifted by Kingfisher after the European home improvement retailer raised its full-year profit guidance following a 9.9% first-half increase. Insurance shares fell roughly 1%, pressured by losses in ASR Nederland and AXA. Investors awaited euro zone consumer confidence data due later in the day. Italy's Snam slipped 0.2% after announcing the sale of 10 million Industrie De Nora shares for €67 million ($76.8 million). Plus500 dropped 4.9%.