European stock markets anticipate a bearish opening this Thursday (Euro Stoxx futures: -0.75%)with investors pending the military escalation in the Middle East and the diplomatic tensions between Spain and the United States. The stock markets of the Old Continent seem to be returning to the red today after the sharp rebound of last day, which was 2.49% for the Ibex. Geopolitical tension settles and intensifies, and the volatility It also intensifies in equities, with sessions of comings and goings, pronounced movements and obvious nervousness.
In the last 24 hours, attacks have intensified in the conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran. Israel launched a new wave of attacks on Tehran on Wednesdaywhile the Israeli Defense Minister assured that his country seeks «crush» the capabilities of the Iranian regime.
For its part, Washington claimed to have destroyed 17 Iranian ships and nearly 2,000 targets since the beginning of the military operation. The evolution of the conflict remains uncertain. Experts warn that the United States and Israel They could get caught in a protracted war if the Iranian regime demonstrates greater resistance than expected. In parallel, information also arrives about possible movements in the Iranian political leadership. According to several media outlets, high-ranking clerics in charge of choosing the next supreme leader are considering appointing Mojtaba Khameneison of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
WALL STREET AND ASIA
Wall Street ended last day also positivelywhile the futures there also come now with declines of around half a percentage point. Regarding the tension between Spain and the US, the US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said yesterday that sees Donald Trump’s «frustration» with the country as «justified»while the Government of Spain This Wednesday he «blatantly» denied that Spain was going to «cooperate militarily» with the United States after the White House assured that it would do so. Apart from this issue, investors look to Asia, where the stock markets have experienced a bullish session, with a rebound of 1.65% for the Nikkei and 9.8% for the Kospiwhich sank 12% yesterday and 7% on Monday. There, attention is focused on the National People’s Congress of China, where a growth target for the Asian giant for 2026, between 4.5% and 5%, which is the lowest in decades. This contrasts with the target of «around 5%» that Beijing had maintained for the past three years. Regarding the agenda of the session, pay attention to the eurozone retail sales for january. On the business front, investors will also be awaiting several earnings releases in Europe, including those from Merck, DHL Group, Reckitt Benckiser, Galderma Group and Universal Music Group.
OTHER MARKETS
The euro is exchanged at 1.1597 dollars (-0.30%). Oil rises by around 3.6% (Brent barrel: $84.23; WTI barrel: $77.60). Gold advances 0.29% ($5,149) and silver loses 1.09% ($82.27). The yield of the 10-year American bond rises to 4.117%. Bitcoin advances and is trading at $72,326 and Ethereum is trading at $2,119.
