---
title: "FTSE 100 starts week on back foot as tensions flare"
publisher: "Share Talk"
author: "sharetalk"
published: "2026-05-18T06:16:04+00:00"
modified: "2026-05-18T06:16:04+00:00"
date: 2026-05-18
canonical: "https://www.share-talk.com/ftse-100-starts-week-on-back-foot-as-tensions-flare/"
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"]
image: "https://i0.wp.com/www.share-talk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/FTSE-100.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1"
format: "news"
language: "en-GB"
---

# FTSE 100 starts week on back foot as tensions flare

**Published:** May 18, 2026
**Author:** sharetalk
**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/2024/01/FTSE-100.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)

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London markets are set for a weaker start to the week as investors react to renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and another sharp rise in oil prices.

The FTSE 100 will open around 12 points lower on Monday at 10,186.17 after the index slumped 1.7% on Friday. Over the previous week, the FTSE 100 lost 0.4%.

European markets are also expected to open under pressure, with France’s CAC 40 and Germany’s DAX 40 both called around 0.8% lower.

Investor sentiment remains fragile after US President Donald Trump intensified pressure on Iran, warning Tehran that it needed to move quickly towards a peace agreement, “or there won’t be anything left of them.”

The latest rhetoric renewed concerns that the conflict involving Iran could continue escalating, particularly after reports suggested Israel may be preparing for an extended military campaign.

Oil prices climbed sharply in response, with Brent crude surging above USD111 per barrel early Monday, reflecting ongoing fears over disruption to global energy supplies and shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Bond markets also remained under pressure, with US Treasury yields moving higher as investors reassessed inflation and geopolitical risks.

Analysts said recent market optimism that the Middle East conflict might soon de-escalate has weakened following tougher rhetoric from Washington and limited evidence of meaningful diplomatic progress.

In Asia, equity markets traded mostly lower overnight. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.8%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost 1.1%, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropped 1.4%.

Chinese economic data added to concerns over global growth momentum after retail sales and industrial production both came in weaker than expected for April, although unemployment eased modestly.

Meanwhile, China said progress had been made during recent trade discussions between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, including preliminary agreements relating to tariffs, agriculture and aviation.

On Wall Street, US stocks ended Friday sharply lower, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 1.1%, the S&P 500 declining 1.2% and the Nasdaq Composite dropping 1.5%.

Back in UK politics, pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer continued after Andy Burnham was formally cleared to seek Labour selection in the upcoming Makerfield by-election, potentially paving the way for a future leadership challenge.

Gold prices edged slightly lower early Monday, trading around USD4,541 per ounce.

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