FTSE 100 Rallies as Soft US Retail Data Reduces Rate Hike Bets

The FTSE 100 index experienced a modest recovery on Monday, rising by 0.12% to 10,763 after its first weekly decline in five weeks.

This gain was largely attributed to softer-than-expected US retail sales data, which reduced expectations for near-term Federal Reserve interest rate increases.

The index had fallen 0.2% and logged a weekly loss of about 1.4% by Friday's close at 10,750.11, but the latest data has eased concerns over inflation and aggressive central-bank tightening.

Mining stocks played a significant role in driving the FTSE 100's growth as industrial metal prices firmed up, with companies like Glencore, Anglo American, and Antofagasta performing well.