UK stocks set for weekly losses amid rising geopolitical uncertainty

Friday 24 April 2026 - 12:30

UK stock markets are heading toward weekly losses as investor sentiment weakens amid growing geopolitical tensions and fading hopes of a rapid ceasefire in the Middle East.

The FTSE 100 index fell by 0.6% in Friday morning trading, while the FTSE 250 declined by 1.1%, marking a broad downturn across UK equities. Analysts note that the market is set to record its first weekly loss in five weeks, erasing gains made after earlier optimism surrounding a US-Iran ceasefire agreement.

Rising crude oil prices, driven by concerns over renewed instability in the Middle East and uncertainty over key trade routes, have added pressure on global markets. Energy price volatility has particularly affected travel and leisure companies, which saw significant declines.

Financial stocks also weakened, with major banks experiencing losses as investors reacted to warnings from the Bank of England. The central bank’s deputy governor highlighted that global equity markets may be overvalued given ongoing geopolitical and economic risks.

Despite the negative trend, some defensive sectors such as healthcare and consumer staples showed modest gains, reflecting a shift toward safer assets.

In corporate news, technology services firm Computacenter saw a strong rise after reporting better-than-expected profit forecasts, while packaging group Mondi declined sharply due to concerns over rising costs linked to geopolitical instability.

Overall, markets remain sensitive to global developments, with energy prices and international tensions continuing to shape investor confidence.