FTSE 100 further in the red now as lower oil and higher pound bite

Since the opening here this morning for the European stock markets, the clear underperforming major index from the very get go was the FTSE 100. As noted in earlier updates the index was not making progress. Well, notwithstanding the prospect of the UK becoming a more attractive investment destination, due to the prospect of UK/US trade deal, the short-term price action has hit a bit of bump in the road. That bump right now is the fact that oil prices are falling and the GBP/USD is rising and that double dynamic has pushed the FTSE below 8,700. The index has dropped back to around 8,685 so far, after an earlier session high at 8,778.