By Karl Matchett

Copyright independent

The FTSE 100 is down 0.16 per cent this morning in a slow start to the week.

But longer-term context is important, says one expert.

“The FTSE 100 has dipped a touch this Monday morning, after a small retreat last week. Still, the index is up over 11.5% so far this year and up around 20% from its post-liberation day lows,” said Derren Nathan, head of equity research, Hargreaves Lansdown.

“However, UK stocks haven’t quite kept pace with US stock markets, which ended last week on yet another record high on hopes for a further relaxation in monetary policy over the remainder of 2025. The combination of structural value drivers from the Artificial Intelligence boom and higher than expected resilience within the global economy is helping investor confidence to keep its head above water.

“Wall Street is expected to edge down a little at the open. Markets are taking stock of guidance issued by the Trump administration over the weekend that revealed a $100,000 annual charge per employee of US workers holding an H-1B visa for skilled workers. It’s expected to apply to new applicants only, but it’s sparked some confusion amongst workers and enterprises alike.”