Global equities moved higher for the week amid optimism around a potential second round of US-Iran talks and a 10‑day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Earnings season began strongly, with a few major US banks reporting solid Q1 results. US PPI for March came in at 0.5% versus 1.1% expected. Eurozone inflation for March was revised up to 2.6%, due to surging energy prices caused by the Middle East conflict. UK industrial production beat expectations, rising 0.5% on strength in mining and quarrying. In China, Q1 GDP grew 5% year on year, supported by strong exports of electrical and mechanical goods.
