UK markets showed early optimism on 24 June, with the FTSE 100 ticking up 0.4% and the FTSE 250 posting a 0.9% rise. This rally comes amid investor relief following tentative signs of a ceasefire in the Israel‑Iran conflict.

Travel and leisure stocks led the upward surge as oil prices softened—Lower crude reduced operating costs for airlines and holiday providers. Conversely, the oil & gas sector weighed on the broader index, continuing its recent slump.

Notably, AstraZeneca received U.S. approval for a new lung cancer treatment developed in collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo, injecting fresh confidence into the health sector—a bright spot for investors.

For UK households, the rebound in stock markets may not have immediate impact, but it reflects a broader global shift towards risk‑on sentiment. Lower energy costs could also help calm inflation pressures, though industry leaders caution against over‑optimism in a volatile geopolitical environment.