Markets observed a cautious start to the week as investors prepared for central bank announcements about interest rates and braced for a flood of corporate earnings. Oil prices increased due to heightened tensions in the Middle East. Europe’s Stoxx 600 index remained close to its highest level since January 2022, supported by the strong performance of energy shares. Futures contracts for the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 showed little change. Stocks in Asia saw gains on the optimism surrounding China’s efforts to strengthen its stock market.
