Investing.com - European markets opened lower on Tuesday, as tensions in Iran weighed on market sentiment and investors remained cautious for their first trading day of 2018.
The EURO STOXX 50 dropped 0.47%, France’s CAC 40 declined 0.52%, while Germany’s DAX 30 was down 0.81% by 03:35 a.m. ET (07:35 GMT).
Markets were jittery after Iranian protesters attacked police stations late Monday, marking the biggest challenge to the country's clerical leadership since 2009.
Elsewhere, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un surprised world observers by saying he wished for a "peaceful resolution" with Seoul in his annual New Year's Day address.
Financial stocks were broadly higher, as French lenders BNP Paribas (PA:BNPP) and Societe Generale (PA:SOGN) gained 0.55% and 0.57%, while Germany's Commerzbank (DE:CBKG) and Deutsche Bank (DE:DBKGn) advanced 0.44% and 1.10%.
Among peripheral lenders, Italy's Intesa Sanpaolo (MI:ISP) and Unicredit (MI:CRDI) climbed 0.29% and 1.48% respectively, while Spanish banks BBVA (MC:BBVA) and Banco Santander (MC:SAN) jumped 0.66% and 1.06%.
Allianz (DE:ALVG) added to gains, with shares up 0.22% after the inurer on Friday announced the acquisition of a 49% stake in Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society’s UK general insurance businesses, the first stage in the creation of the companies’ joint venture and strategic partnership.
In London, FTSE 100 rose 0.26%, as UK lenders tracked their European counterparts higher.
Shares in the Royal Bank of Scotland (LON:RBS) and Barclays (LON:BARC) climbed 0.50% and 0.69% respectively, while HSBC Holdings (LON:HSBA) gained 0.70% and Lloyds Banking (LON:LLOY) surged 2.31%.
Centrica (LON:CNA) was also on the upside, with shares amid reports the energy supplier is seeking a second joint venture partner to continue to boost its oil and gas production business after a recent deal with Germany's Bayerngas Norge.
In the mining sector, stocks were broadly lower. Shares in Fresnillo (LON:FRES) slipped and Anglo American (LON:AAL) dropped 0.47%, while BHP Billiton (LON:BLT) and Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) tumbled 1.50% and 1.94% respectively.
In the U.S., equity markets pointed to a mixed open. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures pointed to a 0.14% increase, S&P 500 futures signaled a 0.11% rise, while the Nasdaq 100 futures indicated a 0.07% dip.