** As of 08:20 GMT, the pan-European STOXX 600 index is up 0.17% at 622.23 points.
** Crude prices are down approximately 1% after Israel and Lebanon reached a ceasefire agreement. However, following several episodes of escalation between the United States and Iran earlier this week, investors are looking for clearer signals that a lasting peace deal is imminent.
** Markets are also keeping a close eye on financials, following signs of stress in private markets that rattled stock exchanges across Europe and the United States yesterday.
** Swiss asset manager PARTNERS GROUP is gaining 2.7%, rebounding from yesterday's decline after forecasting a slowdown in fundraising for the second half of 2026 and 2027, citing uncertainty regarding redemptions from its evergreen open-ended funds.
** REMY COINTREAU is surging 10.3% after CEO Franck Marilly unveiled a recovery plan for the first time, stating that the cognac producer aims to boost operating profit by approximately 100 million euros by 2028/29.
** UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP is shedding 6.25% after announcing a share buyback from Pershing Square Funds. In recent days, the music label rejected an unsolicited takeover bid from the investment group.
(Translated by Agnese Napoletti, editing by Stefano Bernabei)
