Global Market: European shares steady as investors track deal activity; easyJet jumps on takeover proposal

European markets were steady in early trade, with the pan-European STOXX 600 index broadly flat at 652.84 points as investors tracked corporate deal activity. Budget airline easyJet surged 11% after agreeing in principle to an improved takeover offer from US-based Castlelake valuing the carrier at up to 5.5 billion pounds, lifting the broader travel and leisure index about 1%. Sentiment was supported by retreating crude oil prices and easing Middle East tensions, though uncertainty around US-Iran negotiations kept geopolitical risks in focus.