International Recap, June 18: Hawkish Central Bank Signals Pressure FTSE 100, While Risk-On Mood Lifts Nikkei 225

Global markets were driven by central-bank signals and risk sentiment. The FTSE 100 fell 1.04% to 10,400 as investors reacted to the Bank of England holding rates at 3.75% and to a firmer hawkish tone from the Fed, with financials, materials, and energy pressured by weaker oil prices after news of a US-Iran ceasefire. In contrast, the Nikkei 225 climbed 1.65% to 71,053, reaching new highs on easing Middle East tensions, improved risk appetite, and broad semiconductor strength. The article highlights how policy expectations and geopolitics are increasingly steering regional equity performance, with London under pressure and Tokyo benefiting from a risk-on backdrop despite the Bank of Japan’s recent rate hike to 1%.