European shares edge higher as falling oil prices shifted investor focus toward weakening demand, while US-Iran peace efforts remain stalled and disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz persists, Reuters reports.
The pan-European STOXX 600 was up 0.2 per cent at 660.57 points by 0830 GMT. The benchmark retreated from record highs in the previous session.
Britain’s FTSE 100 fell 0.3pc despite the UK economy unexpectedly expanding in June, offering some reassurance over the domestic growth outlook.
“June might well prove to be the last real sweet spot for the UK economy this year,” says Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell.
She has warned that uncertainty around the Iran war, energy prices and potential budget measures could weigh on business confidence in the months ahead.
