London pre-open: Stocks seen muted as investors eye resumption of peace talks

15th Apr 2026 07:30

(Sharecast News) - London stocks were set for a muted open on Wednesday as investors mulled the potential resumption of US-Iran peace talks.

The FTSE 100 was called to open around five points lower.

Donald Trump said on Tuesday that talks with Iran in Islamabad could resume over the next two days, according to The New York Post.

In an interview with an NYT reporter who had gone to Islamabad for the first round of talks, the US President said: "You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we're more inclined to go there."

He also said that Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, was doing a "great job" organising the talks. "He's fantastic, and therefore it's more likely that we go back there," Trump said.

Meanwhile, a White House official reportedly told CNBC that a second round of negotiations between the US and Iran was being discussed. The official said nothing has been officially scheduled yet.

Danske Bank said: "Last night, President Trump said talks to end the war could resume within two days; Iranian officials said discussions could continue this week, although a senior Iranian official noted no date has been set yet.

"It would be a surprise if the talks lead to a permanent ceasefire, with the most likely scenario being an extension of the current ceasefire, if the US and Iranian officials meet again over the weekend or early next week."

In corporate news, Standard Life said it has agreed to buy Aegon UK for £2bn.

The deal includes the UK insurance and pensions operations of Aegon Europe and the price comprises £750m in cash and 181.1m newly issued shares in Standard Life.

Standard Life said the acquisition will create the UK's largest retirements and savings and income business. The combined group will have 16m customers and assets under administration of around £480bn.

Gambling operator Rank said it expected full-year operating profit of at least £68m after a 5% jump in third-quarter net gaming revenue.

The owner of Mecca bingo and Grosvenor casinos said NGR for the three months to March came in at £205.4m, with year-to-date NGR up 6% on the prior year.

Barratt Redrow reiterated guidance but warned that war in the Middle East was making visibility beyond the current year more uncertain.

Updating on trading, the homebuilder said the third quarter had been "solid", leaving it on track to deliver total of home completions of between 17,200 and 17,800 in the current year. It also expects to deliver adjusted pre-tax profits in line with consensus.

But the blue chip also flagged that visibility beyond the current year "remains more uncertain", as economic tensions spike in response to war in the Middle East.