Lights on in skyscrapers and commercial buildings on the skyline of the City of London, UK, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. U.K. business chiefs urged Chancellor of the Exchequer\u00a0Rachel Reeves\u00a0to ease energy costs and avoid raising the tax burden on corporate Britain as she prepares this year’s budget.<\/p>\n
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images<\/p>\n
LONDON \u2014 European stocks began the new trading week in negative territory as investors weigh geopolitical developments in Iran, and renewed pressure on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell<\/a>.<\/p>\n The pan-European Stoxx 600<\/a> index was down 0.2% by 9:48 a.m. in London (4:48 a.m. ET), with major bourses and sectors mainly in the red.<\/p>\n Market watchers will be keeping an eye on the developments in Iran this week after widespread protests were met with a violent crackdown by the Iranian authorities. U.S. President\u00a0Donald Trump\u00a0is weighing options to take action against Iran<\/a>, according to multiple reports on Sunday.<\/p>\n The president has been shown potential plans, ranging from possible military strikes to action that doesn’t include the military, according to MS Now and other media outlets, citing U.S. officials. <\/p>\n Trump aides are reportedly\u00a0set<\/a>\u00a0to brief the president Tuesday on measures, including military, cyber and economic, to follow through on his threats.<\/p>\n BE Semiconductor Industries<\/a> expects orders for the fourth quarter to top 250 million euros ($292.2 million), a 43% rise from the 174.7 million euros booked in the third quarter, and a 105% year-on-year increase. BESI, which designs and manufactures semiconductor equipment, opened almost 8% higher on Monday. The Dutch company is set to report its fourth quarter results next month.<\/p>\n Shares in Heineken<\/a>, meanwhile, rose almost 1% in early trade Monday after CEO and Chairman Dolf van den Brink said he intends to step down from his position on May 31. The Amsterdam-based brewing giant’s supervisory board said it would begin a process to find a successor for Van den Brink, who has been in the role for almost six years.<\/p>\n Shares in Abivax<\/a> jumped 23% on Monday as the French biotech stock reportedly remains the subject of takeover rumors. The stock later pared gains and was last trading up 19%. The company, which rallied<\/a> almost 1,700% last year, has experienced wild swings over the past week. \u00a0<\/p>\n