Markets weighed by U.S. shutdown, oil slide; Europe lifted by healthcare:

                                                         Source: Krish Capital Pty Ltd

Index Update: The FTSE 100 index, a key benchmark index for the London stock exchange, went up around 0.53% on 01 October 2025.  

Macro Update: UK manufacturing contracted at its fastest pace in five months in September, with the PMI at 46.2 and output at a six-month low, highlighting weak domestic and export demand despite earlier official data showing modest growth. AstraZeneca said it will upgrade its U.S. listing to the NYSE from February 2026, a move that may draw liquidity from London as U.S. revenues approach 50% of total sales. BoE Governor Andrew Bailey called for widely used stablecoins to be regulated like banks, with depositor protection and reserve access, and announced a consultation paper. The FTSE 100 rose 0.7% to a new peak, gaining 7% in Q3, led by healthcare stocks after Pfizer’s U.S. drug price deal, though global caution persisted over the U.S. shutdown. Greggs posted slower Q3 sales growth of 1.5% after hot July weather, but recovery in later months and steady guidance lifted shares 7%. 

Top Market Movers: Among top gainers on FTSE 100 index, AstraZeneca PLC (LSE: AZN) witnessed a rise of 6.63% followed by JD Sports Fashion PLC (LSE: JD.) which gained around 4.09%. 

Commodity Update: The U.S. dollar steadied on Wednesday after a Republican bill to extend government funding for seven weeks failed in the Senate, raising the risk of a shutdown from midnight. Gold climbed 0.40% to $3,889.05, silver advanced 1.79% to $47.48, while copper slipped 0.08% to $10,279.80. Brent crude rose 0.20% to $66.15, supported by a draw in U.S. inventories after sharp losses on renewed OPEC+ output concerns. 

Our Stance: Global markets are facing heightened uncertainty as the U.S. government shutdown halts operations, threatening jobs, economic data releases, and Fed policy clarity, while partisan gridlock raises risks of a prolonged standoff. Equity futures slipped on concerns over delayed data and fragile sentiment despite past shutdowns having limited market impact. At the same time, Trump’s tariffs are accelerating global free trade deals, with the EU, Mercosur, India, and others striking or reviving agreements to offset lost U.S. trade. Meanwhile, oil prices steadied after steep declines as markets weighed weaker U.S. and Asian demand against expectations of a larger OPEC+ supply hike in November, with Saudi Arabia pushing to regain market share. 

FTSE 100 

The FTSE 100 is trading at 9,420.23, rising 0.75%, while staying above critical support at 8,900 and the 50-day SMA at 9,200.80. It also remains above the 21-day SMA at 9,250.90, suggesting restrained upside momentum and potential consolidation. The RSI, sitting in the overbought region, indicates a mildly positive bias. Immediate support lies at 8,950, with resistance levels observed at 9,500 and 9,800. 

Source - EODHD/Others