FTSE 100 volatility has returned as investors react to geopolitical tensions, energy prices and renewed inflation concerns. Sharp market moves can feel unsettling, particularly when headlines dominate sentiment and short-term direction becomes difficult to predict.

But periods like this often create an important distinction between traders and long-term investors. While markets frequently react to immediate news flow, company fundamentals and long-term earnings power tend to matter far more over time.

That raises an important question: when the FTSE 100 turns volatile, which companies could be worth a closer look?

Volatility creates opportunities

Periods of FTSE 100 weakness are rarely comfortable, but they are not unusual. Markets often react sharply to geopolitical developments and inflation fears, particularly when uncertainty clouds the near-term outlook.

For long-term investors though, volatility can sometimes work differently. Falling share prices do not automatically signal deteriorating businesses. In some cases, they simply reflect shifting sentiment or short-term risk aversion.

That distinction matters because some of the strongest long-term investments are often bought during periods when markets feel most unsettled.

For me, the key is not trying to predict short-term market direction, but identifying businesses whose long-term prospects remain intact despite near-term volatility.

A volatile sector worth watching

Few sectors react more sharply to FTSE 100 volatility than mining, and Anglo American (LSE: AAL) has recently reflected that.

Weak Chinese data and commodity price swings continue to drive short-term sentiment. Yet beneath that volatility, the company’s longer-term copper strategy is beginning to attract attention.

Unlike many miners, Anglo’s appeal is not simply tied to higher copper prices. Management argues that the real advantage lies in how it can expand production.

Across the industry, new copper projects have become increasingly expensive and difficult to deliver. Inflation, permitting delays and lower ore grades have pushed capital costs sharply higher, with many developments overrunning initial budgets.

Anglo looks different.

Its pipeline contains a number of lower-intensity expansion opportunities built around existing operations rather than entirely new developments. Projects such as Quellaveco are already demonstrating faster capital payback, while future brownfield expansion options could allow growth with less execution risk than many competitors.

What could go wrong?

Mining rarely delivers smooth progress, and Anglo is no exception.

Copper may be the long-term prize, but earnings remain sensitive to commodity prices and global growth, particularly in China.

There is also execution risk. Large mining projects often suffer delays and cost overruns, while the proposed Anglo-Teck combination adds further complexity around integration, capital allocation and project sequencing.

What’s the verdict?

For me, Anglo American looks worth considering precisely because it offers more than a simple commodity trade.

Yes, copper remains central to the story. But the more compelling argument may be the quality of the company’s growth pipeline and its ability to expand production more efficiently than much of the industry.

If management can execute successfully — and if the merger with Teck Resources helps unlock the expected synergies and shareholder distributions — Anglo could emerge as one of the world’s most significant copper producers.

Volatility will remain part of the journey.  But when FTSE 100 weakness creates indiscriminate selling, companies with improving long-term fundamentals can become worth closer attention.

Andrew Mackie owns shares in Anglo American.