London equities are set for a muted open on Friday, with markets pausing after recent gains as oil prices ease.
Futures data points to the FTSE 100 edging 2.9 points higher to 10,381.72, following a 1.6% rise in the previous session.
Energy markets showed some cooling, with Brent crude slipping to $111.00 per barrel from $114.38 late Thursday, helping to stabilise sentiment after recent volatility.
Trading volumes may be thinner, with several major markets—including those in China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland—closed for the Labour Day holiday.
In the US, lawmakers approved funding for much of the Department of Homeland Security, ending a prolonged partial shutdown. The legislation now awaits sign-off from Donald Trump, although underlying disputes over immigration funding remain unresolved.
Currency markets were steady. Sterling strengthened slightly to $1.3593 and €1.1593, while the euro edged down to $1.1725. The dollar firmed modestly against the yen to ¥157.23.
On the trade front, Trump also signalled the removal of tariffs on Scotch whisky during the state visit of Charles III, marking a notable concession despite broader geopolitical tensions.
Overnight, US equities closed higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 1.6%, the S&P 500 rising 1.0%, and the Nasdaq Composite gaining 0.9%.
In after-hours trading, Apple rose 1.9% after reporting record quarterly results, driven by strong iPhone sales and double-digit growth across all regions.
Asian markets were firmer, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 up 0.6% and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rising 0.7%.
Meanwhile, the European Union has provisionally enacted its long-awaited trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc, creating one of the world’s largest free-trade zones and boosting cross-regional trade prospects.
Gold prices eased slightly to $4,611.16 per ounce, reflecting a modest pullback in safe-haven demand.
