Europe open: Shares, euro lower on France yields, Spanish snap election

5th Oct 2026 07:43

(Sharecast News) - European shares were lower on Monday as a weak euro driven by concerns around French bond yields and a snap election in Spain weight on sentiment.

The pan-regional Stoxx 600 index was up 0.15% although most major continental bourses were lower in early deals.

France's CAC 40 declined 0.89% after French yields surged last week. Spain's IBEX was flat as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called a snap election for November 29, days after rightwing parties blocked his minority government's emergency measures on housing amid countrywide protests.

"Europe is taking the spotlight at the start of the week, as fiscal and political concerns hit the bloc. The euro is lower by 0.5% and is extending losses on Monday, and EUR/USD is back below $1.12, its lowest level since May 2025," said XTB research director Kathleen Brooks.

"France is the epicentre of the concerns, however Spain is also set to get ready for an early election, which is adding to investor worries."

"The fact that French bonds and the euro sold off last week and the downward momentum could persist this week, is a sign that Europe is out of favour with investors and bond market vigilantes are watching developments in the Eurozone closely."

In equity news, Schneider Electric shares fell as the French firm agreed to buy PTC in an all-cash deal valuing the US software company's equity at around $22.6bn.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com