European shares hit a two-week low as Middle East tensions and a global AI stock selloff weighed on the market. Crude oil prices surged over 4% following weekend exchanges between Israel and Iran, impacting energy-sensitive airlines. Tech stocks also declined, mirroring U.S. and Asian trends, while Monte dei Paschi di Siena surged on a takeover bid from Intesa Sanpaolo.

Global markets traded cautiously as renewed conflict in the Middle East and weakness in technology shares dampened sentiment.

(Bloomberg) -- Stocks and bonds dropped as investors grappled with rising oil prices, mounting bets on US interest rate hikes and a pullback in the artificial-intelligence trade.