"European Stocks" European stocks fell in the early session, H&M dropped over 5%, commodity stocks were weak

European stocks fell in early trading as concerns about the Middle East situation grew. The interest rate futures market indicates a 68% chance of the European Central Bank raising rates next month, leading to an increase in European short-term bond yields, which pressured the stock market. Joachim Nagel, a member of the ECB's governing council from Germany, stated that there is an option for a rate hike at next month's meeting. ECB President Christine Lagarde mentioned yesterday (25th) that the central bank is prepared to act to keep inflation at the 2% target.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index fell by 5.66 points or nearly 1%, closing at 581.83 points; the UK FTSE 100 index dropped by 94 points or 0.9%, closing at 10,012 points; the French CAC 40 index decreased by 49 points or 0.6%, closing at 7,797 points; the German DAX index fell by 303 points or 1.3%, closing at 22,653 points; the Spanish IBEX 35 index declined by 118 points or 0.7%, closing at 17,051 points; the Italian FTSE MIB index dropped by 368 points or 0.8%, closing at 43,644 points.

Fast fashion retailer H&M fell by 5.5%, as the company expects only a 1% year-on-year increase in sales for March. Commodity stocks declined, with Antofagasta, Fresnillo, and Anglo American dropping between 3.4% and 4.3%, while Rio Tinto fell by 2.5%. Chip stocks Infineon and lithography equipment manufacturer ASML each dropped over 3%.

In U.S. stock futures, the Dow futures fell by 237 points or 0.5%, closing at 46,474 points; S&P 500 futures dropped by 39 points or 0.6%, closing at 6,601 points; and Nasdaq 100 futures fell by 178 points or 0.7%, closing at 24,189 points.

In the Asia-Pacific stock markets, the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets fell by 1.1% and 1.4%, respectively, while the Hong Kong stock market dropped by 1.9%. The Taiwan and Japanese stock markets each fell by 0.3%, and the South Korean stock market dropped by 3.2%. The Australian stock market fell by 0.1%, while the New Zealand stock market rose by 0.4%. The Singapore stock market recently fell by 0.2%, the Malaysian stock market dropped by 0.2%, the Indonesian stock market fell by 1.9%, and the Thai and Philippine stock markets declined by 0.6% and 1%, respectively. The stock markets in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, fell by 0.6% and 0.8%. The Indian stock market is on holiday