{"id":138849,"title":"FTSE 100 Set to Open Higher as Middle East Tensions Ease","publisher":"Share Talk","author":"sharetalk","published":"2026-07-27T06:34:47+00:00","modified":"2026-07-27T06:34:47+00:00","canonical_url":"https://www.share-talk.com/ftse-100-set-to-open-higher-as-middle-east-tensions-ease/","markdown_url":"https://www.share-talk.com/ftse-100-set-to-open-higher-as-middle-east-tensions-ease.md","json_url":"https://www.share-talk.com/ftse-100-set-to-open-higher-as-middle-east-tensions-ease.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/2025/10/FTSE-100-16-OCT-scaled.webp?fit=1200%2C675&quality=80&ssl=1","format":"news","language":"en-GB","content":"European stock markets are expected to start the week on a firmer footing after Iran and the US refrained from further military escalation over the weekend, easing concerns over disruptions to global energy supplies.\n\nFutures indicate the **FTSE 100** will open around **30 points higher (0.3%)** at **10,765**, building on Friday’s **0.9%** gain, although London’s advance may lag some European peers as falling oil prices weigh on heavyweight energy stocks.\n\nBrent crude slipped to **US$92.03 a barrel** on Monday morning from **US$95.49** at Friday’s London close after Iran halted retaliatory attacks against US allies in the Middle East. Washington also signalled it would allow diplomatic negotiations to continue, reducing immediate fears of further conflict.\n\nThe decline in oil prices could pressure **Shell** and **BP** at the open, given their significant weighting within the FTSE 100.\n\nCurrency markets were relatively subdued. Sterling edged up to **US$1.3352**, while the euro strengthened to **US$1.1405** against the dollar. US Treasury yields also eased slightly, reflecting a modest improvement in investor sentiment.\n\nAsian markets traded positively overnight, with Hong Kong’s **Hang Seng** rising **0.8%**, Australia’s **S&P/ASX 200** climbing **1.3%**, and both the **Nikkei 225** and **Shanghai Composite** posting modest gains.\n\nGold continued to edge higher, trading at **US$4,088.42 per ounce**.\n\nIn UK corporate news, **Serica Energy** announced an agreement to acquire **Pharos Energy** in a deal valuing the company at approximately **£146 million**. Shareholders will receive around **28.67p in cash per share**, alongside a **4.0p special dividend**, taking the total value of the offer to **32.67p per share**.\n\nChief executive Chris Cox said the acquisition supports Serica’s long-term strategy of expanding internationally while increasing reserves, production and cash generation.\n\nInvestors will also be watching the release of Germany’s **Ifo Business Climate Index** and US **durable goods orders** later on Monday.\n\nAttention later this week will turn to interest rate decisions from the **US Federal Reserve**, the **Bank of England** and the **Bank of Japan**, alongside key inflation data from Australia and the eurozone.\n\nOn the UK corporate calendar, **AstraZeneca** publishes half-year results, while **Vodafone** issues a trading update."}