London equities are set for a modestly firmer open on Friday, with investors balancing developments in the Middle East—particularly around the Strait of Hormuz—against key U.S. inflation data as the week draws to a close.
Futures indicate a gain of roughly 20 points for the FTSE 100. The index of blue-chip stocks had edged down 0.1% to 10,603.48 in the previous session.
In currency markets, sterling softened slightly, trading at $1.3419 early Friday, down from $1.3437 at the prior London close. Against the euro, the pound dipped to €1.1479 from €1.1484. The euro also weakened marginally to $1.1691, while the dollar strengthened against the yen to ¥159.23.
In commodities, Brent crude rose 0.8% to $96.70 per barrel. Although still below the key $100 level, prices remain elevated enough to keep inflation concerns firmly in focus. Meanwhile, gold prices edged lower to $4,766.21 per ounce, retreating from the previous session’s highs.
Asian markets were mixed. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.9%, while China’s Shanghai Composite and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index both gained 0.7%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.2%.
In China, inflation data showed a mixed picture. Consumer prices rose 1.0% year-on-year in March, easing from February and undershooting expectations. However, producer prices returned to growth, rising 0.5% annually after a prior decline.
On Wall Street, U.S. equities closed higher overnight, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 both advancing 0.6%, and the Nasdaq Composite climbing 0.8%.
