Europe 50 Dips to 612.98 as Oil Tops $100 on Mideast Risks

The Europe 50 fell 0.2% to 612.98 on April 23 as investors assessed persistent Mideast tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and mixed corporate earnings, with Brent crude rising 1% above $100/bbl. This extended losses from April 20, when the index dropped 1.1% to 619.54 amid US-Iran escalations including a US vessel seizure, driving oil up 6.2% to $95.95 and airline stocks down 3.3%-4.8%. Germany's producer prices rose 2.5% monthly versus 1.4% expected, fueling rate fears, while energy shares gained 0.6% but banks fell 1.1%; Nestlé surged 6% and L’Oréal 8% on strong results.