20.03.202617:05:49UTC+00FTSE 100 Hits 2026 Low on Oil Surge, Rate Hike Fears

The FTSE 100 fell more than 1% on Friday to its lowest level of the year, as rising oil prices and mounting expectations of further interest rate hikes weighed on market sentiment. Investors are increasingly worried that higher energy costs could fuel a renewed inflation spiral, while the Bank of England’s more hawkish tone has strengthened expectations of tighter monetary policy.

Banking stocks came under pressure, with HSBC down 1.8%, Lloyds 1.6% and Barclays 2%. Oil majors Shell and BP declined 1% and 3.3% respectively. Healthcare heavyweights AstraZeneca and GSK also retreated, as did Rolls-Royce, BAT, Rio Tinto and Glencore, while BAE Systems dropped 3%.

Travel stocks provided some offset: EasyJet gained nearly 2% and IAG rose 1.4%. Even so, the FTSE 100 is down about 2.7% for the week, marking its third consecutive weekly decline.