FTSE 100 Slides as Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on UK Markets; Pound Falls to $1.33

The FTSE 100 index has hit a rough patch in early March 2026. Markets slid as global geopolitical tensions flared sharply. At the same time, the British pound weakened to near $1.33 against the US dollar. This combination of forces has shaken investor confidence in UK equities. We saw strong moves in oil, safe‑haven assets, and currency markets that signal risk aversion. For UK investors, businesses, and consumers, these shifts matter now more than ever.