European equities stumble under threat of Middle East strikes, ECB hike

European equities retreated on Wednesday as climbing energy costs edged toward the key $100-per-barrel threshold, intensifying concerns about a prolonged stagflationary scenario while an expanding Middle East conflict heightened the likelihood that the European Central Bank would deliver additional monetary tightening.

Brent crude approaches $100 psychological mark as Middle East tensions escalate

ECB rate-hike expectations anchor European equity valuations