FTSE 100 Starts Week Lower
2026-04-20 07:54
By
Agna Gabriel
1 min. read
The FTSE 100 fell more than 0.5% on Monday as renewed tensions between the US and Iran weighed on sentiment, with oil and gas prices surging after the US Navy seized an Iranian vessel and Tehran responded by firing at ships and again closing the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran said the move followed a US blockade of its linked vessels, which it claims breached a ceasefire agreement.
Travel stocks led declines with EasyJet and IAG dropping over 3%, while major banks including HSBC, Lloyds, Barclays and NatWest fell between 1.4% and 2.5%.
Rolls Royce also lost around 3%.
Mining stocks were under pressure, with Antofagasta down more than 4% and Fresnillo and Endeavour falling 3% and 2.4%.
In contrast, energy giants BP and Shell were among the top gainers, rising 3.1% and 2.4% respectively as oil prices jumped.