Trump offers $5,000 dividend ahead of US midterms

Greetings from City AM's FTSE 100 liveblog. The UK's blue-chip index is expected to decline on Thursday morning, according to IG futures. Despite recent doubts about the end of the Iran war, US President Donald Trump has stated his intention to put an end to the conflict following the midterm elections. In an interview with reporters on Wednesday night, Trump declared, "They're desperate to try and affect the election so that we can get a nice weak group of people in there and leave them alone and let them have their nuclear weapon."

The price of Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil, surged above $100 per barrel for the first time since July, soaring by nearly four percent in a single day. This surge has caused concern among investors who fear that the Bank of England and the Federal Reserve may consider raising interest rates. Neil Wilson, UK investment strategist at Saxo, noted that the FTSE 100 has not lived up to its reputation as a defensive asset, falling back to levels seen in February.

He explained, "UK investors seem to be pulling out of UK equities and moving into fixed income. You wouldn't know it from the bond market, as yields have reached multi-year highs, but investors are not eager to chase these stock markets much higher at the moment." As inflation remains stubborn, there is a possibility that the Federal Reserve could raise rates next week, potentially leading to increased market volatility.

Investors are now focusing on UK growth figures and US inflation statistics, both released at the end of the week, to gauge how global economies are coping with the ongoing war. The latest market updates and analysis will be provided throughout the day. As of now, this is the top news: Businesses are urging Healey to address cost pressures in pre-Budget campaigns.

Barclays is facing legal scrutiny over its involvement in a £90 million 'Ponzi scheme within a Ponzi scheme.' Apple and Google are defending their safety records amid a UK crackdown on explicit teen content. Sadiq Khan is being urged to end London's e-bike 'patchwork.' Giving Neets jobs in the hospitality sector, as claimed by Hilton, could generate £2.3 billion.