London stocks are expected to open higher on Friday, supported by signs of easing tensions between the US and Iran.
Futures indicate the FTSE 100 to a gain of around 29 points at the open, which would partially recover Thursday’s 134-point drop to 9,972, after closing 1.3% lower on Thursday.
Donald Trump said talks with Tehran are “going very well”, extending a pause on strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure by 10 days. The move has helped stabilise sentiment, although Iran has yet to formally respond.
Oil prices edged lower, with Brent crude around $107.76 a barrel, reflecting cautious optimism that supply disruption risks may ease.
Global markets remain mixed, with US futures also edging higher, suggesting a potential rebound after a weak session on Wall Street. The Nasdaq Composite fell 2.4%, the S&P 500 dropped 1.7%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1%.
Asian markets showed a mixed performance, reflecting ongoing uncertainty around the geopolitical backdrop.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 and South Korea’s Kospi both slipped 0.4%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index and China’s Shanghai Composite each gained 0.6%.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged 0.1% lower, highlighting the lack of a clear directional trend across the region.
The mixed picture underscores a market still balancing geopolitical risks against hopes of stabilisation.
The improved outlook reflects cautious optimism that tensions may ease, though markets remain highly sensitive to further developments.
