- FTSE 100 falls 129 factors to 10,284
- US markets drop sharply
- Brent crude $85 a barrel
5.15pm: Stocks beneath strain
The ongoing battle within the Middle East continued resulted in one other robust day for international markets, with the FTSE 100 falling 129 factors to 10,284.
“Stock markets, already reeling from the higher oil price, were hit by today’s payrolls that revealed a quadruple blow of bad news that signals the US economy continues to weaken,” IG chief market analyst Chris Beauchamp stated. “Having added no jobs since last April, the rationale for a Fed rate cut is there, but now inflation is back to effectively stymie policymakers.”
4.15pm: Blue-chips off their lows
The FTSE 100 was down 118 factors heading into the weekend, having pulled again from its lows as promoting strain on Wall Street eased.
Brent crude, the worldwide oil benchmark, was buying and selling slightly below $85 a barrel after hitting nearly $86 earlier within the session.
Analysts warned {that a} extended blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the vital Persian Gulf transport lane via which a fifth of worldwide oil provide passes, may push Brent to $150 a barrel.
2.44pm: Middle East fears and weak US jobs knowledge exacerbating London’s woes
The FTSE 100 suffered a triple-digit loss as US markets opened decrease on Friday.
America’s main indices misplaced between 1.5% and 1.7% after reviews that Russia had shared intelligence with Iran, deepening issues about Middle East instability.
The sell-off was compounded by weaker-than-expected US jobs knowledge, with non-farm payrolls, a carefully watched measure of American employment, exhibiting the economic system shed jobs in February.
1.15pm: Escalating tensions and rising oil costs maintain buyers cautious earlier than payrolls report
FTSE 100 slipped 55 factors on Friday as buyers weighed escalating tensions within the Middle East and awaited the most recent US labour market knowledge.
US futures pointed to a weaker begin on Wall Street, with Nasdaq futures down 0.9% and contracts monitoring the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average 0.6% decrease.
Losses adopted a unfavorable session in New York, the place the Dow Jones fell 1.6%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.6% and the Nasdaq declined 0.3%.
Markets remained centered on the intensifying battle involving the US, Israel and Iran as the disaster entered its seventh day.
Richard Hunter, head of markets at funding platform interactive investor, stated consideration had partly shifted from financial knowledge.
“It is not often that the monthly non-farm payrolls report finds itself being secondary to events elsewhere, but it nonetheless retains the ability to move the market,” he stated.
“The consensus is that 60,000 jobs will have been added in February, as compared to 130,000 the previous month, although that figure could be subject to downward revisions,” Hunter added.
“Unemployment is expected to remain unchanged at 4.3%, but coupled with the possible return of inflation, investors are increasingly resigned to fewer interest rate cuts remaining on the table this year.”
Energy markets additionally remained in focus as Brent crude rose 1.5% to $86.71 a barrel.
US benchmark WTI climbed 6% to $85.87, placing oil heading in the right direction for its greatest weekly rise since 2022.
Neil Wilson, analyst at brokerage Saxo UK, stated: “As the conflict continues, markets are increasingly pricing higher-for-longer oil and disrupted energy and trade flows, which means weaker economic output and higher inflation.”
“Markets are also pricing in more restrictive monetary policy, which is having a secondary impact on valuations going forward as bond yields rise.”
11.30: Spoke too quickly
The FTSE 100’s restoration has been short-lived, with the blue-chip index as soon as extra again within the purple. It’s at present 22 factors down at 10,392.05.
Other European markets have additionally declined, with the DAX in Frankfurt and the CAC 40 in Paris each down greater than 0.2%.
“Early European gains have faded as we close out a historic week that looks more dangerous with each passing day,” commented Scope Markets’ Joshua Mahony.
“What many had hoped would be a short-term conflict and swift overthrow of the regime looks to be anything but that, and for European markets, there is a particular sensitivity to gas prices that spiked at the beginning of the week but stabilised since. For today, the notable areas of strength within the FTSE 100 comes in the form of defence names, and oil & gas stocks.”
10.35am: Oil climbs most in 4 years
As talked about, Brent crude has surged above $85 a barrel this week, marking its greatest weekly bounce since early 2022, as the Middle East battle rattles international vitality markets. Shipping via the Strait of Hormuz, usually a key artery for 20 million barrels of oil a day, has all however stopped, with safety dangers, insurance coverage complications, and operational uncertainty forcing some producers to chop output.
According to a report on the Trading Economics web site, tensions present no signal of easing. Iran denied in search of negotiations and launched missiles and drones throughout the Gulf, hitting a refinery in Bahrain, whereas Israel continued airstrikes on Tehran.
The US has hinted at measures to ease strain, from tapping strategic reserves to stress-free gasoline guidelines, and even permitting India to select up some Russian crude.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia raised Asian costs and rerouted shipments via the Red Sea. With international provide tightening and volatility rising, oil merchants are bracing for extra turbulence, and probably extra headlines, within the days forward.
10.15am: London stocks get well … once more!
It’s a uneven morning for the FTSE 100, with the index creeping forward once more, after earlier shedding all of the morning’s opening positive aspects. It’s now 20 factors forward at 10,433.93.
No such luck for Wall Street, although, with index futures pointing to losses of 0.3% to 0.4% when the US market opens.
Brent crude oil futures, in the meantime, have prolonged their positive aspects and are now 1.5% up at $86.71, on monitor for his or her greatest weekly bounce since 2022 as the escalating Middle East battle severely disrupted international vitality flows, in response to knowledge from Trading Economics.
“As the conflict continues, markets are increasingly pricing higher-for-longer oil and disrupted energy and trade flows, which means weaker economic output and higher inflation,” commented Saxo UK’s Neil Wilson.
“Markets are additionally pricing in additional restrictive financial coverage, which is having a secondary influence on valuations going ahead as bond yields rise.
“Today sees the US nonfarm payrolls report, but it’s hard to see what exactly the market can get from this, given the backdrop of the war and fragile risk sentiment.”
9.40am: Footsie now flat
The FTSE 100 has retraced all the morning’s positive aspects, and US futures have turned unfavorable forward of a key jobs report, due for launch forward of the US market open.
After buying and selling nearly 0.5% larger earlier within the session, London’s blue-chip index is now flat at 10,414.15. In the US, futures for the Dow Jones, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq are actually down 0.1% to 0.2%, reversing earlier positive aspects.
“There’s not much synchronisation in markets at the moment as we welcome in another payrolls Friday today,” commented Deutsche Bank’s Jim Reid.
“This one will be obviously overshadowed by events in the Middle East. Indeed, the market selloff resumed over the last 24 hours, with equities and bonds posting fresh declines as the war in the Middle East showed no sign of ending,” Reid added. “That’s raising fears about a more protracted conflict, with investors increasingly alarmed that the oil price spike will become entrenched, pushing up inflation around the world.”
9.30am: Small caps within the information
Various Eateries PLC (AIM:VARE, FRA:63U) is buying 4 premium pubs with rooms from Grosvenor Pubs and Inns for £11.25 million, creating a brand new third model, The Linwood Collection. The websites generated £10.5 million in income in 2025. Funded through a £15 million HSBC debt facility, the group plans to rebrand as Coppa Collective plc (ticker: COPC) to mirror its multi-format hospitality focus. Read more
Astrid Intelligence PLC (AQSE:ASTR) has launched Astrid Vault, an on-chain platform designed to enhance liquidity throughout the Bittensor decentralised AI community. The vault permits subnet token holders to lock up holdings in alternate for discounted Subnet 127 tokens, lowering short-term promoting strain. Astrid expects this to strengthen integration throughout subnets and help stability as decentralised AI networks develop. Read more
Quantum Blockchain Technologies PLC (AIM:QBT, FRA:BYA1) has obtained its first bitcoin mining rig from a possible ASIC accomplice, marking a key step towards business testing of its AI Oracle software program. CEO Francesco Gardin stated the crew will give attention to one producer at a time, with lab testing at Milan University set to start subsequent week, forward of potential contractual discussions. Read more
HeLIX Exploration PLC (AIM:HEX, OTCQB:HHEXF) has expanded its Rudyard helium mission in northern Montana to just about 8,000 acres, protecting the core of a confirmed helium-bearing construction and three producing wells. CEO Bo Sears highlighted the strategic worth of US-based helium amid international provide disruptions, noting that Helix’s home manufacturing ensures supply to native clients whereas QatarEnergy’s pressure majeure impacts international provide. Read more
9am: Footsie extends positive aspects as markets eye NFPs
It just isn’t typically that the month-to-month US non-farm payrolls (NFP) report finds itself being secondary to occasions elsewhere, however it nonetheless retains the flexibility to maneuver the market, says interactive investor’s Richard Hunter.
Hunter notes that consensus is that 60,000 jobs may have been added in February, in comparison with 130,000 the earlier month, though that determine could possibly be topic to downward revisions.
“Unemployment is expected to remain unchanged at 4.3%, but coupled with the possible return of inflation, investors are increasingly resigned to fewer interest rate cuts remaining on the table this year,” Hunter commented.
February’s NFP report is due for launch at 1.30pm GMT, an hour earlier than the US market open. Ahead of that, futures for the Dow Jones, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq are 0.1%-0.2% firmer.
The FTSE 100, in the meantime, is now 49 factors up at 10,463.07.
8.35am: Wet climate dampens retail gross sales
February wasn’t type to UK retailers. BRC-Sensormatic knowledge reveals whole footfall fell 4.7% year-on-year, a steep slide from January’s 0.6% drop. High streets and procuring centres had been hit hardest, dropping 5.4% and 5.5% respectively, whereas retail parks fared barely higher at -3.1%.
Every UK area noticed fewer customers, with Wales down 5.8% and London recording its worst February footfall since April 2024. Clothing and footwear shops felt the squeeze, as customers selected dry couches over wet streets. Some northern cities, extra used to moist climate, held up somewhat higher.
Helen Dickinson of the British Retail Consortium says authorities help may assist excessive streets get well, citing outdated enterprise charges and the necessity for a refreshed High Street Strategy.
Sensormatic’s Andy Sumpter factors to financial pressures too: meals inflation and rising unemployment meant many delayed discretionary journeys.
But there’s hope on the horizon: with Mother’s Day approaching and spring’s sunnier days forward, retailers are optimistic that customers will quickly return, umbrellas in hand, wallets on the prepared.
8.15am: Footsie off to a constructive begin
The FTSE 100 opened larger following every week that noticed London’s blue-chip index pull again from file ranges after the US and Israel launched assaults on Iran.
Shortly after the open, the index was 29 factors up at 10,442.73.
Top of the leaderboard is Entain PLC (LSE:ENT), up 2.8% and constructing on yesterday’s positive aspects after the Ladbrokes, Coral and Foxy Bingo proprietor reported full-year outcomes forward of expectations and struck an upbeat tone on its skill to soak up a looming enhance in UK gaming obligation.
IMI PLC (LSE:IMI) and 3i Group PLC (LSE:III) are up 2.6% and easyJet PLC (LSE:EZJ) has clawed again 1.7% following sharp losses for airways this week as the Middle East battle disrupted international journey. BA proprietor International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (LSE:IAG) is up 1.2%.
Rentokil Initial PLC (LSE:RTO) is main the decliners, down 0.7%, adopted by Unilever PLC (LSE:ULVR) and Diageo PLC (LSE:DGE), shedding 0.6% and 0.5% respectively.
7.45: House costs on the rise
Some constructive information for householders, relying on the place you reside: UK home costs edged larger in February, persevering with the market’s regular begin to 2026.
The newest Halifax House Price Index confirmed costs rose 0.3% in February, after a 0.8% enhance in January, taking the common UK property worth to £301,151, a brand new excessive. Annual development additionally picked as much as 1.3%, the strongest charge in 4 months.
Halifax stated the market has regained some momentum after a softer finish to 2025, though affordability stays stretched and provide restricted.
Regionally, Northern Ireland (+6.3%) and Scotland (+4.7%) led annual development, whereas London (-1%) and the South East (-2.2%) noticed costs slip.
7.15am: FTSE 100 referred to as larger
The FTSE 100 is ready to open larger on Friday, clawing again a few of Thursday’s sharp losses as the struggle within the Middle East strikes into its seventh day.
London’s blue-chip index is named up round 57 factors after dropping 153 factors within the earlier session to shut at 10,413.
Futures on the Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite are additionally pointing to a modestly constructive begin after Wall Street offered off on Thursday as oil costs climbed, elevating contemporary issues about inflation and rates of interest.
Brent crude has moved above $85 a barrel, even as the US authorities considers steps to chill the rally. Those may embrace releasing strategic oil reserves, easing fuel-blending guidelines, permitting Russian oil gross sales to India, and even US Treasury buying and selling in oil futures.
“The latter would be unprecedented,” stated Ipek Ozkardeskaya of Swissquote.
“This combination of rising energy prices, more hawkish central bank expectations, higher yields and weaker appetite for risk assets will likely remain in play as long as Middle East tensions have a lasting impact on oil and gas prices,” she added.
Asian markets are additionally constructive this morning, with Tokyo’s Nikkei, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng, and Shanghai’s SSE Composite making strong positive aspects. In Seoul, the Kospi is just a few factors larger, however the ASX 200 in Sydney fell 1%.
Today’s non-farm payrolls knowledge are actually in focus, with markets hoping for strong US jobs knowledge to help sentiment forward of the weekend. Economists count on about 58,000 new nonfarm jobs, 3.7% wage development, and unemployment round 4.3%, with weak knowledge unlikely to spice up hopes of Federal Reserve charge cuts whereas inflation dangers stay elevated.
“Given rising inflation risks, stronger data could trigger a positive market reaction, while weaker-than-expected figures could fuel stagflation concerns – rising unemployment alongside persistent inflation – and weigh on US equities ahead of the weekly close,” stated Ozkardeskaya.
