Despite opening on a firm note, the UK stock market's benchmark index FTSE 100 slipped toward the flat line by noon on Monday with the mood turning cautious as investors looked ahead to the Bank of England's monetary policy meeting later this week.
The bright start was thanks to Iran and the U.S. reaching an agreement to end the conflict in the Middle East and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices fell sharply, easing concerns about inflation. However, the sharp drop in oil prices took a toll of energy stocks, contributing significantly to market's fall from higher levels.
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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.