FTSE 100 Slides as Rate-Cut Bets Fade

2026-03-11 08:55 By Joana Ferreira 1 min. read

London’s FTSE 100 resumed its downward trend on Wednesday, falling 0.8% to 10,320 points, as investors scaled back expectations for further interest rate cuts from the Bank of England this year.

The losses were broad-based, with heavyweights such as AstraZeneca, HSBC, and Rolls-Royce leading the decline, while retailers saw some support from upbeat earnings by Inditex.

Although oil prices have retreated from highs above $100 per barrel, the earlier surge has already influenced market expectations, with money markets now pricing in only a minimal chance of rate cuts in 2026.

On the corporate earnings front, insurer and investment manager Legal & General dropped nearly 6% after its solvency ratio fell short of expectations, despite reporting higher annual profits and announcing a £1.2 billion share buyback program.



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