The FTSE 100 opened modestly higher on the morning of the 21st, extending gains for a second straight session. At 8:00 a.m. UK time, the index stood at 10,749.51, up 1.35 points, or 0.01%, from the previous close. Heightened Middle East concerns have strengthened expectations for higher crude oil prices, supporting buying in large-cap resource stocks including BP, Shell and mining companies. The index had closed the 20th at 10,739.13, down 4.22 points, or 0.03%, as uncertainty discouraged aggressive purchases. European markets were mixed, with Germany's DAX opening higher and France's CAC 40 declining. Investors are monitoring whether geopolitical risks could disrupt crude supplies, while recognizing that higher oil prices could reignite inflation and affect monetary policy, keeping caution toward cyclically sensitive stocks.