The FTSE 100 is set for a hesitant open on Monday, with futures pointing to an 8-point decline, as investors brace for a dense week of central bank decisions amid elevated geopolitical tensions and simmering worries about a potential market bubble.
The UK’s blue-chip index ended last week on a soft footing, dropping 43 points on Friday and 53.5 points across the week to close at 9,667.01.
Across the Atlantic, US futures are fractionally higher — up 0.1% to 0.21% — after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq eked out further gains on Friday, extending their recent run.
The Federal Reserve dominates the agenda, with another interest-rate cut widely expected, though not universally supported among policymakers. The week also features decisions from the Reserve Bank of Australia, Bank of Canada, and the Swiss National Bank — all of which are anticipated to keep rates unchanged.
With global nerves already heightened, traders are preparing for a potentially pivotal few days.
China’s annual trade surplus has topped $1 trillion for the first time, underscoring how the country’s manufacturing sector has continued to power ahead despite the drag from Donald Trump’s trade war.
Fresh customs data shows Chinese exporters boosted sales to markets outside the US this year, offsetting a steep decline in shipments to American buyers.
In November, exports rose 5.9% year-on-year, a sharp turnaround from October’s 1.1% decline and stronger than economists had anticipated — highlighting the resilience and global reach of China’s industrial base.
