{"id":134161,"title":"FTSE 100 ends week flat as oil concerns linger","publisher":"Share Talk","author":"sharetalk","published":"2026-03-27T18:39:24+00:00","modified":"2026-03-27T18:39:24+00:00","canonical_url":"https://www.share-talk.com/ftse-100-ends-week-flat-as-oil-concerns-linger/","markdown_url":"https://www.share-talk.com/ftse-100-ends-week-flat-as-oil-concerns-linger.md","json_url":"https://www.share-talk.com/ftse-100-ends-week-flat-as-oil-concerns-linger.json","category":"Investment Reports","categories":["Investment Reports"],"tags":["Asia","Bangkok","Denmark","Endeavour Mining","Fed","Federal Reserve","Finland","FRANCE","FTSE 100","GERMANY","Glencore","Greenland plan","Hong kong","Japan","London","Manila","mining stocks","Mumbai","Nasdaq Composite","NATO alliance","Netherlands","Nikkei 225","Norway","S&P 500","shanghai","Singapore","Sweden","Sydney","Taiwan","UK","United States","Wall Street","Wellington"],"featured_image":"https://i0.wp.com/www.share-talk.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/LONDON-20-MARCH-26-scaled.webp?fit=1920%2C889&quality=80&ssl=1","format":"news","language":"en-GB","content":"The FTSE 100 closed the week at **9,967**, slipping just **5 points (-0.05%) on the day**, but still finishing **slightly higher over the week**.\n\nInvestor sentiment remained cautious, with markets continuing to track developments in the Middle East.\n\nOil prices were a key focus, with Brent crude **rising for a third consecutive session**, moving back above the **$100 per barrel** mark. Analysts say persistent doubts over a near-term US-Iran deal, along with ongoing military tensions, are keeping **supply risks elevated**, particularly around the **Strait of Hormuz**.\n\nThe result is a market stuck between **resilience and uncertainty**, with geopolitical risk continuing to dominate the outlook.\n\n### Banks and miners gain as rate hike bets rise\n\nMining stocks and banks moved higher, while housebuilders came under pressure as markets increasingly priced in further rate rises.\n\nTraders are now almost fully expecting the Bank of England to deliver **three interest rate hikes this year**, shifting the outlook for different sectors.\n\nHigher rates tend to support **banks**, which benefit from improved lending margins, while **mining stocks** have been buoyed by firm commodity prices.\n\nIn contrast, **housebuilders fell**, as rising borrowing costs weigh on mortgage demand and the housing market outlook."}