{"id":133764,"title":"The FTSE 100 is expected to rise on Wednesday as oil prices edge lower","publisher":"Share Talk","author":"sharetalk","published":"2026-03-18T07:38:47+00:00","modified":"2026-03-18T07:38:47+00:00","canonical_url":"https://www.share-talk.com/the-ftse-100-is-expected-to-rise-on-wednesday-as-oil-prices-edge-lower/","markdown_url":"https://www.share-talk.com/the-ftse-100-is-expected-to-rise-on-wednesday-as-oil-prices-edge-lower.md","json_url":"https://www.share-talk.com/the-ftse-100-is-expected-to-rise-on-wednesday-as-oil-prices-edge-lower.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","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/2023/12/FTSE-100-11_12_23.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1","format":"news","language":"en-GB","content":"Stocks in London are set to open higher on Wednesday, tracking gains in Asian markets as investors keep a close eye on developments in the Middle East and await the latest US interest rate decision.\n\nFutures indicate London’s blue-chip index will rise by **around 13 points**, building on Tuesday’s gain. The index closed **85.91 points higher, up 0.8%, at 10,403.60 on Tuesday**.\n\nIn currency markets, **sterling** strengthened slightly to **$1.3366**, up from **$1.3345** at the previous close. The **euro** edged up to **$1.1542**, while the **dollar weakened against the yen to ¥158.72**.\n\nGeopolitics remain firmly in focus. Analysts note that markets are becoming increasingly accustomed to the ongoing Middle East conflict, even as risks to energy supply persist—particularly with the **Strait of Hormuz still effectively blocked**.\n\nEnergy markets remain central to investor sentiment. Oil prices eased slightly, with **Brent crude trading at $101.25 a barrel**, down from **$101.95 on Tuesday**. Meanwhile, Iraq said it had resumed **limited exports of 250,000 barrels per day** via the Turkish port of **Ceyhan**, offering some relief to supply concerns.\n\nOvernight, US markets also ended higher. The tech-heavy Nasdaq led the gains with a **0.5% increase**, while the S&P 500 added **0.25%** and the Dow Jones edged **0.1% higher**.\n\nAsian markets were broadly stronger. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 surged **2.9%**, while China’s Shanghai Composite rose **0.4%** and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index added **0.9%**. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained **0.3%**.\n\nIn commodities, **gold** moved higher to **$5,010.90 an ounce**, up from **$4,994.57** late Tuesday."}