Global Markets Rally Amid Ceasefire Hopes in Iran Conflict

Global markets saw promising gains on Thursday, as discussions about extending the ceasefire agreement in the ongoing Iran conflict progressed. Investors closely monitored these developments, leading to rising confidence across major indices.

Notably, Britain's FTSE 100, France's CAC 40, and Germany's DAX all rose by 0.5%. Asian markets mirrored this upward trend, with Tokyo's Nikkei 225 surging 2.4% to an all-time high, suggesting resilience against early Iran war losses. Meanwhile, China reported a 5% economic growth for the first quarter, despite concerns over potential export challenges.

An 'in-principle agreement' between the US and Iran spurred optimism, though apprehensions linger around potential secondary sanctions. Oil prices followed an upward trajectory, with Brent crude rising to $96.27 per barrel, amidst the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Wall Street also witnessed gains, led by the S&P 500's record high.