FTSE 100 Live: Index Opened Higher Amid Reports of Peace Talks Between US-Iran

The FTSE 100 opened 27.91 points higher to 10,610.87, supported by reports of peace talks between the US and Iran. Oil prices also rebounded from above $100 to near $97 per barrel amid the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. 

Gainers and Losers

In London, Glencore shares rose 2.15% to £576.20 after HSBC upgraded its rating to “Buy”. Standard Chartered also rose £22.4 to £1741.4 in response to BNP Paribas moving to an Outperform stance.

Metlen Energy & Metals jumped 3.42% to £34.46, while Fresnillo gained 2.64% to £3,617 and Antofagasta rose 2.54% to £3,863.50.

Among others, Intercontinental Hotels Group advanced 2.09% to £141.65.

On the downside, Imperial Brands fell 5% to £2,914.5, despite reiterating full-year guidance for low-single-digit tobacco and double-digit next-generation net revenue growth. Sector rival British American Tobacco also declined 1%.

3I Group declined 0.82% to £2,736.50, while Berkeley Group Holdings fell 0.58% to £3,432 and BAE Systems fell 0.89% to £2,225.

Also, BP is down 0.65% as its bullish trading update is offset by a decline in the price of oil futures. Shell is down 0.5%.

Intertek Q1 Revenue Grows

Intertek Group, a product testing and certification company, on Tuesday posted an increase in revenue for Q1 of fiscal year 2026. For the three months ended in March, the company recorded revenue of £838.5 million, more than £808.9 million in the same period last year.

The Consumer Products business generated revenue of £232.6 million, compared with £226.9 million last year. 

Andre Lacroix, CEO of Intertek Group, said, "Today, we are announcing a strategic review to evaluate the potential separation and creation of two specialist, independent, market-leading, global ATIC businesses - Intertek Testing & Assurance and Intertek Energy & Infrastructure to unleash their full potential and create more value for all."

Apple UK Profit Jumps

Apple’s UK business reported over £4.9 billion in turnover in the past year, with a sharp increase in profits. Revenue rose 7% to £4.9 billion, while pre-tax profit increased from £83.2 million to £128.9 million from the year before.

Operating costs also remained higher as the company expanded, with employees rising to around 1,800.

The UK division, which provides services to Apple’s broader global group, paid £21.9 million in dividends during the year, down from £102.3 million.

Also Read: Stock Market Today: Nasdaq Hits 23,183 While Oil Prices Slip Below $100

Global Market View

In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.6%, the S&P 500 index rose 1%, and the Nasdaq Composite improved 1.2%.

In Asia, the Nikkei and Kospi are trading 2.2% and 3% higher in Tokyo and Seoul, while in Mumbai on Monday, the Sensex dropped 0.9%.

Brent crude is back down to $98.40 a barrel, having topped $103 on Monday.