Europe midday: Shares hold gains despite latest US-Iran military exchange

(Sharecast News) - European held gains despite the latest tit-for-tat strikes by the US and Iran overnight.

The pan-regional Stoxx 600 index was up 0.21% to 637 at 1145 BST with most major bourses higher.

US forces were given the nod to complete another round of strikes against Iran, with Central Command confirming they had hit more sites in an attempt to further degrading Tehran's ability to attack shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

They hit around 90 military targets, including air defence systems, coastal surveillance assets, missile and drone storage sites, according to a statement.

US President Donald Trump told a news conference at the Nato summit in Turkey that he was no longer sure he wanted to make a deal with Iran, just 24 hours after he said the current ceasefire was "over".

"We can play games, but I'm not sure I want to make a deal," Trump said, adding, "Let's just finish the job."

Oil prices were largely unchanged with Brent crude at $77.82 and West Texas Intermediate $73.54.

In equity news, shares in Computacenter surged after a trading update, while tech stocks were generally back in favour across the board with BE Semiconductor and STMicroelectronics higher.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com