FX.co ★ FTSE 100 Starts Week Higher

The FTSE 100 rose 1% on Monday, extending a 1.1% gain from the previous session, with banking stocks delivering the strongest support. Lloyds Banking Group advanced more than 2%, HSBC nearly 2%, Standard Chartered 1.8%, Barclays 1.5% and NatWest 1.4%. HSBC was also in focus after reports that it plans to shift its pay structure towards performance-related bonuses and away from fixed salaries.

Energy stocks moved higher as well, as oil prices climbed on renewed geopolitical tensions. Shell gained 1%, with attacks in Ukraine and Saudi Arabia reigniting concerns over regional energy security. Unilever added more than 1%, further underpinning the broader index.

In contrast, Informa slipped more than 1% ahead of its Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh later this month. The stock came under pressure following Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia’s main airport over the weekend and updated UK travel advisories for parts of the country.