A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon comes into effect. U.S. President Trump says he sees the conflict with Iran ending soon. Bank of Israel governor Amir Yaron tells CNBC that he expects a deal to be done but maintains it is a ‘working assumption’. Investor hopes of peace in the Middle East rise with equities notching new record highs Stateside. The Nasdaq is on course to post its best week in a year while European bourses remain mixed. Spanish deputy PM Carlos Cuerpo tells CNBC at the IMF Spring Meetings he has no regrets over his country’s refusal to become involved in the Iran conflict while Banque de France governor François Villeroy de Galhau insists that the ECB must not act rashly on rates ahead of a crucial meeting in a fortnight.

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The S&P 500 and Nasdaq post new record highs as investors signal hopes for an end to the ran conflict. The positive sentiment has also affected Asian equities with the Nikkei leading gains. The U.S. and Iran are expected to resume peace talks in Pakistan next week with Israeli and Lebanese leaders set for ceasefire discussions later today. We hear from a slew of European policy makers at the IMF Spring Meetings about the risks of a prolonged conflict. French finance minister Roland Lescure and Bundesbank governor Joachim Nagel tell CNBC they must remain flexible to rolling developments.

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U.S. President Trump says peace talks with the Iranian regime could resume in Pakistan within days. Speaking to CNBC at the IMF spring meetings, Pakistani finance minister Muhammed Aurangzeb said he was optimistic for a diplomatic solution to the crisis. The IMF has slashed its global growth forecast outlining three scenarios – weaker, worse or severe. IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas tells CNBC that even the best outcome would feature a ‘very significant downgrade’. Chip maker ASML hikes it FY sales guidance to €40bn on strong A.I. demand. Luxury giant Kering posts a narrow Q1 miss due to weaker Gucci sales and faltering demand in the Middle East.

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The U.S. navy begins its blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz. However, there are signs of further dialogue which have helped crude prices to drop back under $100 per barrel. President Trump says the “appropriate people” in Tehran have communicated that they want to strike a deal. The optimism is felt on Wall Street with the S&P 500 erasing its losses since the start of the conflict while Asian equities are also in the green overnight. In luxury news, LVMH sales miss quarterly expectations as the Iran crisis weighs. The firm’s U.S. shares closed 3 per cent in the red.

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Following failed U.S.-Iran peace talks in Islamabad over the weekend, Washington moves to blockade ships exiting or entering Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices surge on the news while Asian markets move into the red. President Trump says the blockade is aimed at eliminating Iranian crude exports from the market. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is ousted after 16 years in power with Peter Magyar’s centre-right Tisza party winning a two-thirds super majority vote.

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U.S. President Trump accuses Tehran of not honouring the ceasefire with the Strait of Hormuz remaining firmly shut. Israel has said it was willing to hold peace talks with Lebanon, despite continuing to target Hezbollah sites in the country. Crude prices remain below the $100-mark despite Saudi Arabia claiming Iranian attacks on its Red Sea pipeline have erased up to 700,000 barrels a day from the market. European equities are due to end the week firmly in positive territory with investors clinging onto hope the Middle East ceasefire will hold. Stateside, the S&P 500 is on course to post its best weekly performance since November.

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Iran accuses the U.S. of violating the new ceasefire agreed on Tuesday with Israel continuing to target Hezbollah sites in Lebanon. U.S. Vice-President JD Vance is to lead peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan this weekend, saying early ceasefire ‘choppiness’ is expected. Oil prices rebound from yesterday’s relief rally optimism with Asian markets in the red. European futures are slightly negative. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is hosted by President Trump at the White House who voices his frustration with the alliance’s lack of support over action in Iran. Rutte said talks were ‘frank’ but remained friendly.

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President Trump announces that the U.S. and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire on the condition Tehran opens the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping. WTI and Brent sink back under the $100-mark as a result and the Kospi and Nikkei leading gains in Asian markets. The rally is due to extend in Europe and the U.S. with the Stoxx 50 and Nasdaq futures set for gains of 5 per cent and 3 per cent respectively. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu supports the pause in hostilities in Iran but says the deal does not cover operations in Lebanon. We hear exclusively from Lebanese Economy Minister Amer Bisat who presses for a ‘sovereign-led ceasefire’ for his country.

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