Market Jitters: FTSE Nosedives Amid Global Uncertainty

The FTSE 100 and midcap FTSE 250 indices experienced sharp declines due to economic concerns and geopolitical tensions. Clarkson faced setbacks while Assura saw gains amid acquisition talks. Global equity markets trembled as fears of a U.S. recession and ongoing tariff battles weighed heavily on investors.

The FTSE 100 index fell dramatically on Monday, reaching a near five-week low as global economic uncertainty sparked investor anxiety. This marked the fifth consecutive session of decline for the blue-chip index, driven by fears surrounding U.S. tariffs and sluggish growth prospects.

The midcap FTSE 250 also suffered, losing 1.3%. Concerns about a potential global trade war, aggravated by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies, amplified investor unease. Experts foresee a possible U.S. recession as consumer confidence dwindles and trade complexities escalate.

Meanwhile, Clarkson plummeted over 20% due to geopolitical concerns, whereas Assura soared by 14.3% during acquisition discussions. In other market moves, Deliveroo's shares rose slightly despite exiting their Hong Kong operations, reflecting a cautious sentiment amidst a cooling jobs market in Britain.

(With inputs from agencies.)