Key facts
- The FTSE 100 fell to its lowest level in over two weeks.
- US markets experienced a significant sell-off, with the Nasdaq Composite dropping 3%.
- Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index logged its worst week in nearly a month.
- France's CAC 40 index closed 1.15% higher.
- Belgium's BEL 20 index rose by 0.69%.
- The Netherlands' AEX index reached a new closing high before later falling 0.55%.
- Japan's Nikkei 225 index fell by 1.26%.
- Tata Communications reported a fire at its New Delhi premises.
- No casualties were reported from the fire at Tata Communications' premises.
- Business continuity protocols were activated by Tata Communications.
Global stock markets displayed a varied performance, with the UK's FTSE 100 index falling to its lowest point in over two weeks, primarily influenced by declines in China-related banking and mining stocks, alongside lower crude oil prices. Although the index managed to recover some of its losses late in the trading session, the market remains sensitive to developments in China, oil price fluctuations, and domestic economic pressures. In contrast, France's CAC 40 index closed higher, marking a 1.15% increase, and Belgium's BEL 20 index rose by 0.69%. The Netherlands' AEX index initially reached a new closing high, but later experienced a decline of 0.55% on Friday.
US markets saw a significant downturn, with the Nasdaq Composite plummeting 3% driven by a sell-off in the chip sector and anticipation of a SpaceX listing. The S&P 500 fell by 1.2%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 0.3%. Australian shares recorded their worst week in nearly a month, with the S&P/ASX 200 index closing down 0.7% on Friday, and later down 1.13% on the same day, as investors reacted to escalating U.S.-Iran tensions and conflicting Middle East headlines, leading to profit-taking, particularly in financial and resources sectors. Japan's Nikkei 225 index also closed lower, falling by 1.26%.
Other European markets showed mixed results. Denmark's OMX Copenhagen 20 index fell 1.29%, while Greece's Athens General Composite index experienced a decline of 0.92% on Friday, though it later rose by 0.66% on the same day. Italy's Investing.com Italy 40 index saw a decrease of 0.56%, and Spain's IBEX 35 closed 0.53% lower. Turkey's BIST 100 index fell by 0.67%, and Colombia's COLCAP index declined by 0.48%. Morocco's All Shares index decreased by 0.24%. Russia's MOEX Russia Index finished the trading session flat.
In a separate development, Tata Communications reported a fire at its New Delhi premises. The company activated its business continuity protocols to ensure uninterrupted customer services, and no casualties were reported.