FTSE 100 surged 2.7% as global markets rallied after the US and Iran announced a two‑week ceasefire.
GBP/USD rose 1.04% to 1.3430, while Germany’s DAX jumped 5.2% and France’s CAC 40 climbed 1.8%.
UK house prices slipped 0.5% in March to £299,677, with annual growth slowing to 0.8% amid Middle‑East tensions.
Shell reported Q1 2026 refining margins of $17/bbl and projected a $10‑15 bn working‑capital outflow; Renishaw named John Shipsey CFO.