Photograph: Charly Triballeau/Getty ImagesGlobal markets fell on Tuesday amid concern the war in the Middle East is intensifying as US president Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to agree to a ceasefire deal ticked closer. LondonUK shares ended lower amid broader-based losses as investors turned risk-averse heading into Trump’s deadline. Heavyweight banks lost 0.8 per cent, while pharmaceutical and biotech shares fell 2.2 per cent. EuropeEuropean stocks retreated as investors took to the sidelines ahead of the latest deadline in the Iran war. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index fell 0.96 per cent, while Europe’s broader FTSEurofirst 300 index slipped 1.04 per cent.

Source: The Irish Times April 08, 2026 03:25 UTC