Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 10, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 10, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleUK’s FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 are heading for weekly gains as markets await a key U.S. inflation report and U.S.–Iran peace talks in Islamabad, amid tight Strait of Hormuz conditions. AO World rallies, B&M CFO departs, Wizz Air jumps on Ukraine peace hopes.
April 10 (Reuters) - The main UK stock indexes rose on Friday, poised for weekly gains, as investors awaited key U.S. inflation reading later in the day and peace talks between U.S. and Iranian officials over the weekend.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 index rose 0.3% by 1140 GMT, on track for its third week of gains in a row. The midcap FTSE 250 jumped 1%, set for its second consecutive week of gains.
Global stocks were sanguine as traders awaited the outcome of the U.S.-Iran peace talks set to be held in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, on Saturday.
The Strait of Hormuz remained shut on Friday and Israel traded fire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, which the United States and Iran each described as violations of their ceasefire deal.
Stocks rebounded earlier this week as oil prices slid following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire to the Middle East conflict, raising expectations of a revival in shipping through the strait.
However, the flow of oil from the Gulf remains heavily restricted, keeping futures prices near $100 a barrel.
Investor focus was also on U.S. inflation data at 8.30 a.m. ET (1230 GMT), expected to show consumer prices likely recorded their biggest increase in nearly four years in March.
AO World gained 6.9% after the British electronics retailer said it expected annual profit at the top end of its forecast range, after gaining market share across all key categories in its consumer-focused business.
B&M's shares fell 3.6% as interim CFO Helen Cowing left the British discount retailer after less than five months in the job, the company said.
Wizz Air surged 9.7% after a Bloomberg report said Ukraine's top negotiator with Russia saw progress towards a potential peace deal with Russia.
(Reporting by Sruthi Shankar in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore)
UK stocks are rising as investors look forward to key U.S. inflation data and peace talks between the U.S. and Iran.
The peace talks may ease tensions in the Middle East, affecting oil prices and global stock market performance.
Both the blue-chip FTSE 100 and the midcap FTSE 250 indexes showed gains, with FTSE 100 on track for its third consecutive weekly rise.
Despite a ceasefire, restricted Gulf oil flows have kept oil futures near $100 a barrel.
AO World saw gains after positive profit forecasts, B&M’s shares fell after an executive departure, and Wizz Air surged on peace progress reports.
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