FTSE for Friday: confidence tested again

Despite identifying a level above which will put the FTSE 100 in 'safe' territory, independent analyst Alistair Strang also identifies where things could go wrong.

20th March 2026 07:52

by Alistair Strang from Trends and Targets

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On the basis that 'The Market Always Knows', the FTSE 100 has experienced a severe kicking, needing above 10,460 points, ideally closing above this level, to greatly reduce its drop potentials. While above 10,095 will doubtless induce a fake form of recovery on Friday, we’re not convinced happy times are ahead.

We can calculate that above 10,095 should trigger recovery to an initial 10,138 points with our secondary, if bettered, at 10,275 points. This could prove quite important, theoretically placing the share price in a zone where a future “safe” 10,480 calculates as providing an attraction.

But we’ve become used to a severe drop day, such as Thursday, providing a miracle recovery on the following day. While our secondary target at 10,275 reads as attractive, it fails to move the index into safe recovery territory.

Unfortunately, we anticipate that things risk going wrong, as below 10,000 points now threatens reversal to an initial 9,860 points (matching the start of this year) with our secondary, if broken, at 9,680 points.

All things considered, we suspect 9,860 shall find itself assigned as a “bottom” level for the FTSE. It can be assumed we’re not confident for the near term.

On the bright side, the weather has suddenly improved, the grass starting to grow, and the mechanical roof of our VW successfully unwinds itself into the boot. And the birds are singing. The only big problem comes from frogs as we’ve not yet seen the annual migration occur. This implies the frogs think streams and pools shall be full of water for longer this year, signalling a wet summer is ahead up here in Argyl. Who knows, maybe frogs know a thing or two…

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Source: Trends and Targets. Past performance is not a guide to future performance.

Alistair Strang has led high-profile and "top secret" software projects since the late 1970s and won the original John Logie Baird Award for inventors and innovators. After the financial crash, he wanted to know "how it worked" with a view to mimicking existing trading formulas and predicting what was coming next. His results speak for themselves as he continually refines the methodology.

Alistair Strang is a freelance contributor and not a direct employee of Interactive Investor. All correspondence is with Alistair Strang, who for these purposes is deemed a third-party supplier. Buying, selling and investing in shares is not without risk. Market and company movement will affect your performance and you may get back less than you invest. Neither Alistair Strang or Interactive Investor will be responsible for any losses that may be incurred as a result of following a trading idea. 

These articles are provided for information purposes only.  Occasionally, an opinion about whether to buy or sell a specific investment may be provided by third parties.  The content is not intended to be a personal recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument or product, or to adopt any investment strategy as it is not provided based on an assessment of your investing knowledge and experience, your financial situation or your investment objectives. The value of your investments, and the income derived from them, may go down as well as up. You may not get back all the money that you invest. The investments referred to in this article may not be suitable for all investors, and if in doubt, an investor should seek advice from a qualified investment adviser.

Full performance can be found on the company or index summary page on the interactive investor website. Simply click on the company's or index name highlighted in the article.

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