European stocks fall on bond yields, UK inflation; Iran tensions simmer

LONDON — European stocks fell at the open on Wednesday, as global markets keep a close eye on elevated bond yields and a lower-than-expected UK inflation print.

Shortly after the opening bell, the pan-European Stoxx 600 was down by 0.1%, with sectors and regional bourses in mixed territory.

Investors are assessing elevated bond yields and inflationary pressures, as global government bonds continue to come under pressure. Yields on U.S. Treasurys rose Tuesday with the 30-year Treasury yield above 5.19%, its highest level since 2007. Meanwhile, the benchmark 10-year yield climbed toward 4.69%.

Geopolitical tensions are also in focus after U.S. President Donald Trump said in a statement Tuesday that he was "an hour away" from deciding to attack Iran, before he was persuaded to postpone the strike for a few days.

U.K. inflation eased to a lower-than-expected 2.8% in April, preliminary data from the Office for National Statistics showed on Wednesday.

Economists polled by Reuters had expected the inflation rate to drop back to 3%, cooling from 3.3% in March, largely due to an energy price cap introduced by the U.K.'s energy regulator Ofgem on April 1.

Consumer prices are expected to continue to increase, however, as higher energy costs due to the Iran war continue to materialize.

Earnings come from Experian , with the credit and data analytics firm lining up a $1 billion share buyback program and forecasting organic revenue growth of 6% to 8% for fiscal 2027.