European stocks to open in negative territory as oil prices gain

european stocks are set to open lower on thursday, with sentiment weighed down by higher oil prices and a grim economic forecast from germany. the ftse 100 is seen opening 0.7% lower, germany's dax down 1.3%, france's cac 40 down 0.77%, and italy's ftse mib 0.9% lower. brent crude rose almost 1.3% to $103.19 a barrel after reports the u.s. intercepted at least three iranian oil tankers in asian waters. germany halved its 2026 growth forecast, now expecting just 0.5% growth this year, citing the iran war and the closure of the strait of hormuz. officials projected inflation would rise to 2.7% this year. asia-pacific markets retreated following the tanker reports, while a busy day of earnings in europe includes reports from roche, nestle, and sap.