FTSE 100 rose 0.6% by 09:21 GMT while the FTSE 250 fell 0.5%; Rio Tinto jumped 3.5% after reopening three Pilbara ports and energy stocks gained 1.4% as Brent heads for a record monthly gain. Geopolitical escalation (Iran missile waves, attack from Yemen) and war-related fuel/route risks kept sentiment cautious; travel shares fell 1.1% and face double-digit monthly losses; investors await UK Q4 GDP and US March jobs. Crypto/DeFi market implication: heightened geopolitical risk and risk-off flows could pressure crypto, DEX/CEX activity and fundraising, while commodity-led gains show limited positive spillover to token adoption/security metrics.

Bearish

Predictions Markets

See what traders are focused on

View analytics →

London’s FTSE 100 rose on Monday, helped by gains in heavyweight miners and energy producers that offset weakness elsewhere.

Firmer commodity prices supported the move, even as investors stayed cautious with the Middle East conflict entering its fifth week, Reuters reported.

By 09:21 GMT, the blue-chip index was up 0.6%, while the FTSE 250 fell 0.5%. Both benchmarks were still on track for monthly losses.

Rio Tinto and oil stocks advance

Rio Tinto climbed 3.5%, the biggest boost to the benchmark, after the miner said operations at three of its four Pilbara iron ore port terminals had resumed following Tropical Cyclone Narelle in Western Australia.

Energy stocks rose 1.4% to a record high as crude prices remained elevated. Brent was headed for a record monthly gain, supporting London’s oil and gas names.

Geopolitical risks keep a lid on sentiment

The broader backdrop remained tense.

The Israeli military said Iran launched multiple waves of missiles at Israel, while an attack was also launched from Yemen for only the second time since the US-Israeli war began.

Travel and leisure shares fell 1.1% and were set for double-digit monthly losses as the war raised fuel-cost fears and disrupted key flight routes, threatening profits.

Data and policy in focus

Britain’s finance minister Rachel Reeves will urge G7 counterparts to avoid unilateral steps such as new trade barriers during the war, warning they could worsen energy insecurity and disrupt global supply chains, Reuters reported.

Bank of England data showed mortgage approvals rose by more than expected last month and consumer credit grew faster than in January.

Investors are also watching UK fourth-quarter GDP data and the US March jobs report later this week.

Commodity strength helped the FTSE 100 outperform on the day, but war-related risks and weak travel stocks kept the overall tone cautious ahead of key economic releases.

The post FTSE 100 rises on miners, energy as Middle East tensions persist appeared first on Invezz

Read the article at Invezz