TSX:8698 6 January 2026

March 20, 2026, 5:11 AM EDT. European stocks rebounded on Friday, led by banking and construction sectors, as oil prices eased from recent highs above $119 a barrel. The decline followed U.S. signals about possibly lifting sanctions on Iranian crude to reduce energy costs. Central banks across Europe, including the European Central Bank (ECB) and Bank of England (BoE), held interest rates steady amid uncertainty from the U.S.-Iran conflict but traders increased bets on further rate hikes later this year. The ECB highlighted inflation risks tied to the war, while the BoE's unanimous hold hinted at readiness to act. Meanwhile, Unilever disclosed talks to sell part of its foods business to McCormick & Company, adding corporate activity amid market shifts.