European Stocks Slip as Middle East Conflict Weighs on Investor Confidence

European stocks fell this week as escalating tensions in the Middle East rattled investors. Key indices, including the FTSE 100, Germany’s DAX, and France’s CAC 40, all posted losses. Traders increasingly sought safety in assets such as gold and the U.S. dollar. The conflict has sparked worries over potential disruptions to oil supplies and higher energy costs, adding pressure to markets already sensitive to inflation and slower global growth. As a result, volatility is elevated, with investors closely tracking each new development.