FTSE 100: UK Stocks Slide at The Open

The FTSE 100, London’s leading blue-chip index, declined at the start of Monday’s session as investors weighed the current market risks impacting sentiment. 

On Friday, US President Trump said China has “totally violated” the trade agreement with the US. 

In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: “So much for being Mr. NICE GUY.” 

China has responded, saying the US has “severely violated” the trade truce and it will take strong measures to defend its interests.

Furthermore, last week, Trump said he plans to double tariffs on steel imports, claiming it “will even further secure the steel industry in the United States.”

At the time of writing, the FTSE 100 index is down 0.2% from Friday’s close. 

FTSE 100 Risers and Fallers

Fresnillo +3.5%

Babcock International +4%

Endeavour Mining +3.2%

BAE Systems +1.7%

Croda International -1.7%

Auto Trader -1.7%

Diploma -1.6%

Ashtead Group -1.5%

Analyst Ratings

On Friday, Morgan Stanley raised its target for BT Group to 240p from 225p, keeping an Overweight rating on the shares and naming it a top pick. The firm told investors in a note that higher near-term capex should translate into faster free cash flow growth as capex tails off significantly and BT completes its fiber project.

Berenberg re-initiated FTSE 250 firm Lancashire with a Hold rating and FTSE 100 companies Hiscox and Beazley with Buy ratings, saying London market insurers continue to present a compelling investment case. 

On Friday, Weir Group was raised to Buy from Hold at Kepler Cheuvreux with a new price target of 2,700p, up from 2,680p. The firm pointed to positive end-market expectations into 2026. 

British Land was cut to Hold from Buy at Kepler Cheuvreux, lowering the price target to 405p, down from 430p.