FTSE 100 futures: Will easing inflation fears help the index rally?
The FTSE 100 index closed 1.20% higher on Friday as the Federal Reserve calmed fears about rising US inflation. Concerns over interest rates and a slowing of quantitative easing had curbed the FTSE 100 earlier this week.
![FTSE 100 futures](http://a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/uk/images/news-article-image-folder/bg ftse 100 stock exchange 20394820934809.jpg/jcr:content/renditions/original-size.webp)
- FTSE 100 up from 6963.33 to 7,047.01
- Missed US retail sales have little impact on London stocks
- Federal Reserve not yet prepared to increase US interest rates
- Ready to trade the FTSE 100 index? Open an account today
Following a tumultuous week, the FTSE 100 index closed the week 83.68 points up on Thursday's numbers, buoyed primarily by news across the Atlantic. A bruising week for traders saw London stocks close Friday’s trading session in the black, having seen the price of the FTSE 100 plummet by 293 points in the first four days of trading.
FTSE 100: Why are investors buying the index’s recent dip this week?
It’s been a rather bearish week for most major indices, due largely to escalating fears that inflation could rise uncontrollably in the US. The FTSE 100 and many other major European and Asian indices tumbled in the early stages of the week, with investors fearing that central banks could panic and start to lift interest rates or decelerate quantitative easing plans.
US inflation has indeed risen from 2.6% in March to 4.2% in April. Rising interest rates would not be in the best interests of FTSE 100 firms, given that the cost of issuing finance would rise. With many FTSE 100 companies already having debts to service, this would place undue strain on firms still battling to come out the other side of the Covid-19 pandemic.
US retail sales data and interest rates remain flat
Governor of the US Federal Reserve, Christopher Waller, moved to confirm that despite the short-term rise in inflation, interest rates would not increase until policymakers see inflation remaining above target for a considerable period. Waller intimated that the Federal Reserve will bide their time over the next few months to wait and see whether it is only a temporary ‘mismatch’.
The FTSE 100 did not appear unduly concerned by today’s US retail sales data, which missed forecasts and remained flat month-on-month. The consensus expected at least a 1% month-on-month rise, following a 9.7% rise in March following much-needed government stimulus.
Some of the FTSE 100’s mid-morning gains were also driven by news of Amazon's move to create 10,000 new jobs in the UK, investing £10m over the next three years to train thousands of new employees in a vote of confidence for Britain’s retail and ecommerce sectors.
However, the FTSE 100 futures market could also price in any uncertainty surrounding the emergence of the Indian Covid-19 variant, which appears to have been rapidly transmitted in the northwest of England during the last fortnight. Any weekend reports of delays to the 21 June lockdown easing or localised Covid-19 restrictions could see the FTSE 100 start next week on the wrong foot, with a move back below 7000 by no means impossible.
Trade the FTSE 100 index over the weekend with IG
Opportunity isn’t restricted to office hours when it comes to trading indices like the FTSE 100. At IG, you can trade indices when you want with the UK’s number-one trading provider. We offer greater access to major indices like the FTSE 100 than any other UK provider. Open an account or practise with a demo account today.
This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.
![](http://a.c-dn.net/c/content/dam/publicsites/igcom/uk/images/ContentImage/Indices global component NA banner.jpg/jcr:content/renditions/original-size.webp)
Take a position on indices
Deal on the world’s major stock indices today.
- Trade the lowest Wall Street spreads on the market
- 1-point spread on the FTSE 100 and Germany 40
- The only provider to offer 24-hour pricing
Live prices on most popular markets
- Forex
- Shares
- Indices