LONDON — European stocks closed in mixed territory on Monday, as traders digested rising tensions in the Middle East following strikes by both Israel and Hezbollah over the weekend.
The German DAX ended 0.06% lower, while Italy’s FTSE MIB finished down 0.09%. Spain’s IBEX 35 was down just 0.03% and France’s CAC 40 bucked the trend to close up 0.23%. U.K. markets were closed Monday for a national bank holiday.
It comes as fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East pushed oil prices higher. Over the weekend, more than 100 Israeli fighter jets hit Lebanese targets, and Iran-backed Hezbollah fired more than 320 rockets into Israel.
Brent crude rose 2.80% to trade around $81.22 per barrel at 11:30 a.m. ET, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was 3.21% higher at $77.23 a barrel.
“While market expectations are centered on Iran’s attack hurting Israel without triggering a wider regional conflict, Israel’s response will be equally important. …