Europe open: Shares flat as Israel, Lebanon agree 'truce'

(Sharecast News) - European shares were flat at the open on Friday as investors eyed the truce between Israel and Lebanon and a possible second round of peace talks between the US and Iran. The Stoxx 600 index barely moved in opening trades while Germany's DAX was up by 0.22%, France's CAC 40 gained 0.31% and Italy's MIB rose by 0.47%.

"Events in the Middle East remain the key market driver, and President Trump's overnight comments on the potential for further peace talks between the US and Iran could boost equity markets today," said Derren Nathan, head of equity research at Hargreaves Lansdown.

"A ceasefire between Israel and Iranian proxy Hezbollah after Israeli/Lebanese talks in Washington provides further hope for de-escalation."

In economic news, shares in Alstom shares tanked by a third after the French train maker pulled its three-year cash flow forecast overnight.

Shares in UK utilities were down after British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves said she was looking at ways to delink electricity and gas prices. Centrica and SSE were both lower on the news.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com