Markets Steady as Geopolitics, Tariffs, and Inflation Data Take Focus:

Image Source : Krish Capital Pty Ltd

Index Update: The FTSE 100 index, a key benchmark index for the London stock exchange, went up around 0.31% on 11 August 2025.  

Macro Update: UK markets saw mixed signals on Monday as business hiring intentions fell to their lowest since early 2021, with starting pay growth slowing to a four-year low amid higher social security charges and minimum wage hikes impacting sectors like hospitality and social care. Marks & Spencer shares rose after resuming click-and-collect orders for clothing following a cyber hack, while S4 Capital gained on news of early merger talks with MSQ Partners. The FTSE 100 edged up 0.2%, led by healthcare and consumer stocks including GSK, AstraZeneca, British American Tobacco, and Diageo, though defence shares slipped ahead of Russia-Ukraine peace talks. Rolls-Royce also announced the £4.3bn sale of its UK pension fund to Pension Insurance Corporation, covering liabilities for 36,000 members. 

Top Market Movers: Among top gainers on FTSE 100 index, Marks and Spencer Group PLC (LSE: MKS) witnessed a rise of 2.41% followed by Airtel Africa PLC (LSE: AAF) which gained around 1.64%. 

Commodity Update: The dollar remained rangebound on Wednesday as investors awaited U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee for the Federal Reserve Board. Gold dipped 0.09% to $3,431.60, while silver inched up 0.02% to $37.83. Copper rose 0.17% to $9,660.80. Brent crude rebounded 0.40% to $66.93 from a five-week low, supported by concerns over supply disruptions following Trump’s tariff threats on India for its Russian oil imports. 

Our Stance: Global markets were steady on Monday as investors awaited a critical week marked by geopolitical and economic events, including Tuesday’s U.S.-China tariff deadline, Friday’s planned Trump-Putin meeting on Ukraine, and a key U.S. inflation report likely to shape Fed rate-cut expectations. U.S. chipmakers Nvidia and AMD slipped after agreeing to remit 15% of China sales revenue to the U.S. government under new trade terms, adding strain ahead of the tariff decision. Major global equity indices edged higher, buoyed by strong earnings in the U.S. and Europe, while the dollar held near recent lows as markets priced in potential Fed easing. Oil prices were little changed after last week’s declines, with traders eyeing the U.S.-Russia talks for possible implications on energy markets. 

FTSE 100 

The FTSE 100 is trading at 9,126.92, up 0.34%, facing repeated resistance on the upside. However, it remains above the 21-day and 50-day Simple Moving Averages, indicating a stable short-term uptrend. The 14-day RSI stands at 59.48, but is showing signs of waning momentum, suggesting that the recent rally may be losing steam. A brief pullback toward the 8,900 level is possible in the near term. Still, the overall technical structure remains positive, and if support levels hold, the index could resume its upward movement following a period of consolidation. 

FTSE 100 Technical Chart, Source - EODHD/Others