London's benchmark FTSE 100 index climbed sharply in early trading Wednesday, rising 1.58% or 160.48 points to 10,336.93 as investors appeared to shake off recent geopolitical jitters and bargain-hunt after a volatile March, with the blue-chip gauge trading in a wide range between 10,169.30 and 10,366.46 by mid-morning.
The gain, reported at 10:23 a.m. BST on April 1, 2026, marked a strong start to the new month and quarter following Monday's close at 10,176.45. Volume remained solid as traders responded to a mix of easing Middle East tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, steady corporate earnings expectations and a modestly weaker pound that provided support to multinational exporters in the index.
