# FTSE 100 Type: index Source: Finance Intelligence Brief — https://getfinancebrief.com/entity/ftse-100 Canonical HTML page: https://getfinancebrief.com/entity/ftse-100 ## Timeline - **2026-07-16**: Bank of Korea surprises with rate hike — The BOK raised its policy rate for the first time since 2023, explicitly citing the need to combat inflationary pressures from the ongoing Iran war. - **2026-07-16**: Kospi collapses 6.6% — South Korea's benchmark index suffered its worst single-day loss in years, with semiconductor stocks leading the decline as SK Hynix tanked 11.5% and Samsung fell 8.8%. - **2026-07-16**: TSMC posts record earnings and $100B US investment — After market close, TSMC reported record quarterly profit and announced an additional $100 billion investment in U.S. chipmaking capacity, boosting its own shares and lifting ASML. - **2026-07-15**: US stocks end moderately higher — S&P 500 rose 0.4%, Dow Jones added 0.3%, Nasdaq gained 0.6% as investors awaited key economic data and corporate earnings. - **2026-03-05**: Sustained Volatility — Markets open mixed for a second day as traders react to reports of escalating conflict in the Middle East. - **2026-03-04**: Market Rebound — Stock markets recover and energy prices ease as immediate war fears subside, though tension remains high. - **2026-03-04**: Initial Mixed Open — European markets show first signs of fragmentation as Middle East turmoil begins to dominate headlines. - **2026-03-03**: Diplomatic Efforts — Reports of back-channel negotiations lead to a pause in the upward trajectory of energy prices. - **2026-03-01**: Energy Spike — Oil prices reach multi-month highs on fears of a Strait of Hormuz closure. - **2026-02-25**: Tensions Escalate — Initial reports of military build-up near the Iranian border trigger market sell-off. ## Recent coverage (6 stories) ### Kospi Plunges 6.6% as BoK Shocks with First Hike Since 2023; Oil Dips 2026-07-16 13:09:46 · Sentiment: Bearish · Impact: 6/10 · Sources: 14 South Korea’s Kospi crashed 6.6% after the Bank of Korea unexpectedly hiked rates for the first time since 2023, triggering a mass sell-off in AI chip stocks. Meanwhile oil prices slipped despite escalating US-Iran strikes, and TSMC’s blockbuster $100B U.S. investment plan and record earnings offered a lone bright spot. Full story: https://getfinancebrief.com/story/kospi-plunges-bok-rate-hike-oil-dips ### FTSE 100 Whipsaws as Geopolitical Volatility Surges on Conflicting Iran Reports 2026-03-23 17:43:12 · Sentiment: Bearish · Impact: 6/10 · Sources: 2 The FTSE 100 experienced significant intraday volatility following claims from Donald Trump regarding potential diplomatic talks with Iran, which were promptly denied by Tehran. This conflicting narrative triggered a sharp reaction in global markets, particularly impacting energy-heavy indices as traders weighed the prospects of a de-escalation in Middle Eastern tensions. Full story: https://getfinancebrief.com/story/ftse-100-whipsaw-trump-iran-talks-denial ### Britain Plunged Into Economic Crisis as Iran Conflict Drives Oil Above $100 2026-03-10 00:38:18 · Sentiment: Very Bearish · Impact: 8/10 · Sources: 2 The UK economy has entered a period of significant instability as escalating conflict with Iran pushes global oil prices past the $100 threshold. With the FTSE 100 retreating and mortgage rates climbing, the crisis is being exacerbated by geopolitical rhetoric suggesting high energy costs are a necessary sacrifice. Full story: https://getfinancebrief.com/story/britain-economic-crisis-iran-war-oil-prices ### European Markets Grapple with Middle East Volatility as Geopolitical Risks Mount 2026-03-05 06:33:00 · Sentiment: Bearish · Impact: 6/10 · Sources: 2 European equity markets are navigating a period of sustained volatility, with major indices opening mixed for consecutive sessions as traders weigh the impact of escalating Middle East conflict. The uncertainty is driving a cautious approach among institutional investors, with a specific focus on energy price fluctuations and potential supply chain disruptions. Full story: https://getfinancebrief.com/story/european-markets-middle-east-turmoil-analysis ### Markets Find Relief as Energy Prices Cool Amid Persistent Iran War Tensions 2026-03-04 19:11:34 · Sentiment: Neutral · Impact: 7/10 · Sources: 8 Global equity markets staged a recovery on March 4, 2026, as energy prices retreated from recent highs, though investors remain on edge over the potential for a full-scale military conflict with Iran. The relief rally comes after a period of intense volatility, driven by diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East. Full story: https://getfinancebrief.com/story/market-rebound-iran-war-fears-energy-prices ### FTSE 100 Surges as 'HALO' Trade Coined to Rival US Tech Dominance 2026-02-26 09:23:38 · Sentiment: Neutral · Impact: 5/10 · Sources: 2 The FTSE 100 opened significantly higher on Thursday as market analysts officially coined the 'HALO' trade, a new thematic grouping of UK blue-chips. This shift signals a strategic pivot by institutional investors toward London's value-driven giants amid a cooling global interest rate environment. Full story: https://getfinancebrief.com/story/ftse-100-halo-trade-analysis-2026 --- This page is a machine-readable summary. Sentiment measures the directional read of each development for this entity, not the tone of the reporting; impact weights consequence, not syndication reach. See https://getfinancebrief.com/guides/methodology for the full editorial methodology.