{"id":135895,"title":"FTSE 100 extends rally on hopes of Iran breakthrough","publisher":"Share Talk","author":"sharetalk","published":"2026-05-19T06:07:53+00:00","modified":"2026-05-19T06:07:53+00:00","canonical_url":"https://www.share-talk.com/ftse-100-extends-rally-on-hopes-of-iran-breakthrough/","markdown_url":"https://www.share-talk.com/ftse-100-extends-rally-on-hopes-of-iran-breakthrough.md","json_url":"https://www.share-talk.com/ftse-100-extends-rally-on-hopes-of-iran-breakthrough.json","category":"Blogs","categories":["Blogs","Technology","Technology, Media & Telecoms"],"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/2023/12/FTSE-100-11_12_23.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1","format":"news","language":"en-GB","content":"London stocks are set for a firmer open on Tuesday, extending Monday’s strong gains, after US President Donald Trump pointed to encouraging progress in talks with Iran.\n\nThe FTSE 100 is expected to open around 20 points higher, or 0.2%, at 10,345.25 after the index rallied 1.3% on Monday to close at 10,323.75.\n\nInvestor sentiment improved after Trump described recent developments in negotiations with Iran as “very positive”, saying Middle East allies had indicated a deal preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons could be close.\n\nThe comments reportedly persuaded the US president to postpone a planned military strike against Iran, easing fears of a broader escalation in the region.\n\nOil prices edged slightly lower following the remarks, with Brent crude falling to around USD110.21 per barrel early Tuesday from USD110.80 at Monday’s London market close.\n\nCurrency markets were relatively stable, with sterling strengthening modestly against both the US dollar and euro.\n\nAttention in the UK will turn to labour market data due later Tuesday morning, with economists expecting the unemployment rate to remain unchanged at 4.9%.\n\nPolitical developments in Westminster will also remain in focus as Prime Minister Keir Starmer chairs his first Cabinet meeting since the resignation of former health secretary Wes Streeting.\n\nMeanwhile, Andy Burnham continues positioning himself for a potential return to Parliament through the Makerfield by-election, increasing speculation over Labour’s future leadership direction.\n\nIn Asia, markets traded mixed overnight despite stronger-than-expected Japanese GDP data showing the economy grew at an annualised rate of 0.5% in the first quarter of 2026.\n\nJapan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.5%, while China’s Shanghai Composite edged 0.2% higher and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.1%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 outperformed with a 1.0% gain.\n\nOn Wall Street, Monday’s session ended mixed, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 0.3% while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both closed slightly lower.\n\nGold prices eased marginally to around USD4,536 per ounce early Tuesday."}