European equities are expected to open near unchanged on Thursday as oil prices slip below the $100 per barrel threshold, according to market observers.
The move follows renewed investor caution over developments in the Iran conflict, which has been a key driver of energy-market volatility in recent weeks.
The Stoxx 600, a broad gauge of European stocks, is seen trading in a tight range as traders balance the latest geopolitical news with macroeconomic factors.
The FTSE 100, DAX, and CAC 40 are all anticipated to follow a similar pattern, with no clear directional bias emerging from pre-market indicators.
The decline in crude prices a combination of technical selling and profit-taking after a recent rally driven by supply concerns.
Analysts note that the market remains sensitive to any escalation in the Iran situation, which could quickly reverse the current trend.