The FTSE 100 Index Opens 1.68% Lower

The FTSE 100 fell 1.8% on Tuesday, adding to a 1.2% decline in the previous session, as escalating tensions in the Middle East unsettled global markets. President Donald Trump said the US would do “whatever it takes” and gave no clear timeline for how long a conflict with Iran could last, deepening uncertainty and prompting investors to pull back from risk assets. Financial stocks led the selloff, with HSBC Holdings down 3.5%, Barclays 4%, NatWest Group 1.5%, Lloyds Banking Group 3.1% and Standard Chartered 3.5%. Fresnillo slipped nearly 3% as silver prices fell, despite reporting full-year EBITDA up more than 80% to $2.8 billion. In contrast, BP edged 1% higher, supported by rising oil prices.

The FTSE 100 Index is dropping -181 points. Leading the losses are Intertek (-9.70%), Prudential (-4.79%) and Antofagasta (-3.68%).

The FTSE 100 Index decreased -138 points or 1.26 percent on Monday to close at 10773 points. The decline was led by WPP (-7.20%), Standard Chartered (-5.50%) and JD Sports Fashion (-5.29%).