LIVE MARKETS-STOXX off to steady start, calm under the surface

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STOXX OFF TO STEADY START, CALM UNDER THE SURFACE

European shares were steady on Tuesday, with the STOXX 600 .STOXX adding 0.1% and moves beneath the surface also looking contained after recent rotations that heavily penalised industries seen as most exposed to potential AI disruption.

The STOXX 600 was last up around 0.1%, while the FTSE 100 .FTSE added 0.4%, supported by a softer sterling, gains in heavyweight healthcare names, and a stabilisation in stocks such as information group RELX REL.L after sharp falls driven by mounting AI concerns.

Switzerland’s SMI .SSMI stood out by hitting a fresh record high, rising 0.5% as pharma and financials advanced.

Among STOXX sub-sectors, utilities .SX6P, insurers .SXIP and healthcare .SXDP led gainers, offsetting declines in basic resources .SXPP, down 1% as metal prices pulled back, and weakness in tech .SX8P.

Aerospace and defence stocks .SXPARO eased with eyes on key nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran due in Geneva.

(Danilo Masoni)

EARLIER ON LIVE MARKETS:

BEFORE THE BELL: EUROPEAN FUTURES DIP CLICK HERE

QUIET MARKETS, LOUD DIPLOMACY: ALL EYES ON IRAN CLICK HERE