Europe Asia News

According to analysts, the UK’s FTSE Index and Germany’s DAX Index are set to open down 0.13%, France’s CAC 40 Index is expected to open flat, while Italy’s FTSE MIB Index is forecast to open 0.26% lower.

Market observers will closely monitor developments in Iran this week after widespread protests were violently suppressed by Iranian authorities. According to numerous reports published on Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump is weighing options to take action against Iran.

Reports citing U.S. officials say Trump has been presented with a range of potential plans, from possible military strikes to actions not involving the use of military force, and that his advisers are expected to present the president on Tuesday with a series of measures, including military, cyber, and economic options, to carry out his threats.

In other news, U.S. stock futures fell after the Justice Department opened a criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Analysts say these developments point to a clear escalation in Trump’s efforts to pressure the Fed.

In a video statement on Sunday evening, Powell confirmed that federal prosecutors had launched a criminal investigation related to his testimony before the Senate Banking Committee regarding the renovation of Fed office buildings.

Powell said the investigation represents another attempt by Trump to influence the Fed’s monetary policy and stressed that he would not yield to pressure. Powell’s term as chair is set to end in May.

There are no major corporate earnings or economic data releases scheduled in Europe on Monday.