European stocks are expected to open higher on Monday as easing West Asia tensions sent oil prices sharply lower, alleviating some inflation concerns ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest-rate decision on Wednesday. Brent crude futures slumped more than 6 percent toward $92 a barrel as efforts continued to bring the United States and Iran back to negotiations, with both sides pausing strikes for a second day. Markets price in only a one-in-three chance of a Fed rate hike this week, while the Bank of England is likely to hold its key rate steady at 3.75 percent on Thursday and the Bank of Japan may keep rates steady on Friday. The euro climbed back above the 1.1400 mark against the dollar as U.S. President Donald Trump threatened the European Union with steep tariffs after Brussels fined Google $1 billion over antitrust violations. U.S. stock futures ticked higher ahead of earnings from four Magnificent Seven companies, and gold traded up more than 1 percent at $4,094 an ounce.
Alphabet Inc Class CEU fines Google $1 billion for antitrust violations, but the article focuses on tariff threats, not the fine's impact on Alphabet.