Global Market: European stocks edge lower as Middle East escalation dampens investor sentiment

European stocks edged lower with the pan-European STOXX 600 slipping 0.3% to 639.29, extending its biggest weekly decline since late April, as Middle East escalation dampened investor sentiment. Crude oil prices rose more than 4%, lifting the STOXX 600 energy index by 1.6%, while technology shares fell 1.2% on valuation concerns ahead of earnings season. Separately, AkzoNobel gained around 3% after Japan's Nippon Paint offered 7.5 billion euros to acquire its decorative paints business.