{"id":134221,"title":"FTSE 100 set to fall as oil surge and geopolitical tensions weigh","publisher":"Share Talk","author":"sharetalk","published":"2026-03-30T06:50:29+00:00","modified":"2026-03-30T06:57:07+00:00","canonical_url":"https://www.share-talk.com/ftse-100-set-to-fall-as-oil-surge-and-geopolitical-tensions-weigh/","markdown_url":"https://www.share-talk.com/ftse-100-set-to-fall-as-oil-surge-and-geopolitical-tensions-weigh.md","json_url":"https://www.share-talk.com/ftse-100-set-to-fall-as-oil-surge-and-geopolitical-tensions-weigh.json","category":"Blogs","categories":["Blogs","Business & Support Services","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/2025/10/FTSE-100-31-oct-scaled.webp?fit=1200%2C900&quality=80&ssl=1","format":"news","language":"en-GB","content":"London stocks are expected to open lower on Monday, despite fresh comments from Donald Trump suggesting a potential deal with Iran “could be soon.”\n\nFutures indicate the FTSE 100 will open around **34 points lower (-0.4%)**, following a subdued close on Friday.\n\nMarkets remain under pressure as geopolitical risks continue to dominate sentiment. Trump also floated the idea of the US taking control of Iran’s oil infrastructure, including **Kharg Island**, while Iranian officials warned of a potential ground conflict and signalled plans to reshape governance of the **Strait of Hormuz**, possibly introducing a toll system.\n\nOil prices have climbed sharply, with **Brent crude rising above $116 a barrel**, its highest level in nearly two weeks, amid intensifying conflict in the Middle East.\n\nPrices jumped more than **3% on Monday**, putting oil on track for what could be its **largest monthly gain on record**, driven by fears of supply disruption and a widening regional conflict.\n\nGlobal markets reflect the cautious mood. Wall Street ended last week sharply lower, while Asian equities fell on Monday, led by a **3.2% drop in Japan’s Nikkei 225**.\n\nMeanwhile, G7 ministers are set to meet to assess the economic fallout from the conflict, as rising oil and gas prices continue to ripple through global markets.\n\nCurrency markets also show a defensive tilt, with sterling weakening against the dollar, while gold prices edged higher, signalling ongoing demand for safe-haven assets.\n\nOverall, despite tentative signs of diplomacy, investors remain focused on **energy risks and escalation scenarios**, keeping market sentiment fragile."}