The FTSE 100 fell by 0.6% to around 8,830 in early trading on Friday, retreating from yesterday’s record closing high, as rising tensions in the Middle East triggered a broad-based sell-off across global equity markets. Israel launched widescale strikes against Iran, marking a major escalation in tensions between the two countries and fueled fears of a broader conflict in the region.
Meanwhile, investors are closely watching trade developments, with details yet to be determined on US-China framework agreement, while US President Donald Trump said he would be setting tariff rates for trading partners over the next two to three weeks. Losses were widespread, with Barclays (-2.3%), Natwest (-2.2%), and Antofagasta (-2%) among the biggest decliners. For the week, the FTSE 100 has fallen 0.1% so far.
