European shares fall as tech stocks slide, Middle East tensions weigh

European equities declined, with the pan-European STOXX 600 down more than 0.5% to 645.8 and major continental indexes down around 0.9% by 0815 GMT. Technology stocks fell around 2% amid concerns over elevated AI valuations and rising memory-chip costs, while Brent crude rebounded 1.6% to above $100 per barrel after US strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island. Bayer gained 6% after raising its 2026 profit outlook, supporting healthcare stocks.