FTSE 100 Climbs Despite Friday the 13th Market Jitters

Despite previous market anxieties often associated with “Friday the 13th,” the FTSE 100 showed resilience, rising by 8 points to 10,410. This gain came amid instability in global markets, particularly in the US and Asia, where stock futures declined.

Market Overview: FTSE 100 and Global Indices

In early trading, the FTSE 100 initially climbed to 10,438.01 but struggled to maintain its upward momentum. The index was later reported at 10,410, demonstrating a mixed performance in the face of global market jitters.

• Paris CAC 40: Down 0.3%
• Frankfurt Xetra: Down 0.1%
• Euronext 100: Down 0.2%
• Asian Markets:
  • Hong Kong’s Hang Seng: Down 1.7%
  • Sydney’s ASX 200: Down 1.4%

US Futures Trends

US stock futures signaled a weak market opening, with the Nasdaq expected to drop by 0.3%. Similarly, S&P futures were marked down by 0.3%, while Dow Jones futures predicted a 0.4% decline.

Analyst Insights on Market Sentiment

Joshua Mahony, chief market analyst at Scope Markets, noted the cautious tone in Europe, attributing it to concerns over potential AI disruptions in various sectors. This sentiment is impacting stocks across the board.

Key Economic Data on the Horizon

Attention is turning toward significant economic indicators, particularly the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) data scheduled for release at 1:30 PM GMT. Analysts expect core inflation to moderate, with an annual rate of 2.5%, down from 2.6% the previous month.

Sector Updates: Small Cap Movers and Commodities

Small cap stock movements are noteworthy in today’s trading. HeLIX Exploration PLC and SDI Group PLC made headlines with significant gains.

• HeLIX Exploration PLC: Shares increased by 9% after resolving technical issues at their helium production site.
• SDI Group PLC: Gained 4.9% after announcing the acquisition of PRP Optoelectronics for £9.3 million.
• SkinBioTherapeutics PLC: Experienced a sharp decline of 27% following the resignation of its CEO amid an investigation.

Commodity Market Recovery

Gold prices rebounded slightly, increasing by 1.3% to $1,978.50 per ounce. Silver also showed improvement, up 4.8% at $78.95, following previous declines.

NatWest Reports Strong Earnings

NatWest Group PLC reported impressive financial results for 2025, posting a total income of £16.4 billion, marking a 12% rise. The bank also announced a dividend increase of 51% to 32.5p and plans for a £750 million share buyback.

Looking Ahead

As the market navigates through Friday’s trading, investors remain alert to how upcoming economic data might influence market dynamics and the potential for adjustments in trading strategies.