"It's been a volatile ride for commodities, with prices of metals and crude dropping back from their record highs. The FTSE 100 is set for a flat start in early trade, as shares in miners and energy giants come under more pressure, amid uncertainty about the geopolitical and economic backdrop. Tense international relations and capricious US policymaking collided with concerns about structural undersupply in the market led to sharp rallies then sell offs as investors booked profits and re-assessed the outlook."
"Oil prices have also retreated, after hitting multi-month highs. While the American military build-up in the Gulf has continued, and threats continue to bounce between the US and Iran, the lack of immediate action so far has had a small cooling effect on prices. Sentiment in the US is still being driven by the twin engines of speculation about the AI boom and the direction of interest rates."
Markets ended the week flat with the FTSE 100 steady as miner and energy stocks slipped amid geopolitical and economic uncertainty. Gold retreated from record highs as investors booked profits after a strong rally. Brent crude edged lower yet remained on track for its sharpest weekly gain in two years. Wall Street was set to open lower amid speculation over the next Federal Reserve chair and concerns that political interference could influence policy. Investor worries grew that large AI spending may fail to meet lofty expectations, while Apple’s cautious approach to AI seemed to yield positive results.
Read at London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
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