Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 24, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 24, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleMarch 24 (Reuters) - The FTSE 100 ticked lower in choppy trading on Tuesday, as mixed signals from the Middle East conflict lifted oil prices and curbed risk appetite, while investors also priced in further rate‑hike expectations.
The blue‑chip FTSE 100, which had traded higher earlier in the session, was down 0.1% at a three‑month low, as of 1039 GMT.
The mid‑cap FTSE 250 fell 0.4% to a near 10‑month low as mid-caps, which are more vulnerable to domestic pressures, were hit by rising energy costs.
The benchmarks' fall tracked global stocks, where the relief rally from U.S. President Donald Trump delaying the bombing of Iran's power grid fizzled out, leaving investors with no clarity over the fate of the war.
UK energy stocks rose 0.8%, mirroring oil prices, which rebounded to above $100 a barrel following Iran's statement rejecting Trump's claim of "productive" talks with Tehran. [O/R]
Markets are now pricing in two quarter‑point Bank of England rate hikes this year, with a possibility of a third, down from four expected before Trump’s comments on Monday.
Miners and banks fell 0.4% and 0.9%, respectively, were among the biggest drags on the day. [MET/L]
Among individual stocks, Bellway fell 10% after the home builder trimmed its profit margin outlook and echoed warnings on risks to the housing market from the Middle East conflict.
S4 Capital surged 26% after the advertising group said it expects its 2026 net revenues to meet analyst expectations despite flagging a hit in the first quarter from clients spending less due to the conflict.
YouGov fell 8% after the market research firm warned of lower annual profit due to additional investments in its Shopper division.
(Reporting by Tharuniyaa Lakshmi in Bengaluru; Editing by Harikrishnan Nair)
The FTSE 100 is declining due to confusion over the Middle East conflict, which has dampened investor risk appetite and caused oil prices to rise.
UK energy stocks rose by 0.8%, reflecting a rebound in oil prices following developments in the Iran conflict.
Markets are pricing in two quarter-point rate hikes by the Bank of England this year, down from four previously expected.
Bellway fell 10% after lowering its profit margin outlook, S4 Capital surged 26% on a positive forecast, and YouGov dropped 8% due to profit warnings.
Uncertainty over the Iran conflict, fluctuating oil prices, and rate hike expectations are key factors affecting the UK stock market.
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