Global Markets Slip as Energy Prices Surge

The energy sector stood out against the wider market slide. Brent crude climbed to $76.20 a barrel, while WTI crude reached $72.44. European natural gas prices also saw upward pressure, with the Dutch TTF contract gaining 3.1% to reach 48.26 euros per megawatt hour. Despite these gains, major indices across the continent struggled, with France’s CAC 40 down 0.9% and Germany’s DAX falling 1%.

Individual stock performance showed sharp volatility. Hikma Pharmaceuticals managed a 4.8% gain and Neste rose 3.6%, but those advances were offset by a 7.3% slump in Vistry Group and a 4.4% decline for Talanx. In the bond markets, the German 10-year Bund yield rose 3 basis points to 3.032%, while the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield ticked down slightly to 4.549%. The Wall Street Journal Dollar Index slipped 0.1% to 97.31.