UK Government Unveils Major Reforms to Cut Business Energy Costs
June 23, 2025
Global oil markets experienced a volatile turn this week following the surprise announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump shared the news on Tuesday via Truth Social, claiming a “Complete and Total CEASEFIRE” had been agreed. Israel confirmed its agreement shortly after—but optimism quickly gave way to skepticism as new missile exchanges were reported.
Market Reactions: Oil, Stocks, and Sentiment
Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, initially plunged more than 5% to $67.65 a barrel, marking its second consecutive day of sharp decline. However, prices later recovered slightly to trade around $69.21—a 3% daily loss—amid reports of renewed hostilities. The temporary drop reflects a partial unwinding of the “war premium” that had lifted oil by nearly 20% over the past month.
Despite lingering uncertainty, global equity markets rallied. London’s FTSE 100 rose modestly, while Germany’s DAX and Japan’s Nikkei gained nearly 2% and 1.1%, respectively. Risk appetite appears to be returning as investors bet on a potential de-escalation in the Middle East.
Sector Spotlight: Winners and Losers
Airline and travel stocks led early gains, buoyed by the ceasefire news. Shares in IAG (British Airways), Lufthansa, Wizz Air, and TUI surged by 5–8%, while hotel groups like Intercontinental and Accor also saw gains. However, actual flight operations remain disrupted, with British Airways suspending Doha-bound flights through 25 June and Wizz Air cancelling services to the UAE until the end of the month.
Meanwhile, energy stocks tumbled. Shell and BP declined by 3.5% and 4.8%, respectively, reflecting investor recalibration of short-term oil supply risks. The Iranian parliament’s symbolic vote to close the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial energy chokepoint—has so far not materialised into action.
A Fragile Peace?
Analysts caution that the ceasefire remains tenuous. Israeli defense officials reported new missile attacks shortly after the truce began, which were denied by Iranian media. If tensions reignite, oil prices could easily swing higher once again.
Matt Britzman of Hargreaves Lansdown noted that markets had already priced in some level of de-escalation, especially after Iran’s retaliatory strike on a U.S. base in Qatar caused no casualties and was deemed largely symbolic.
What This Means for Inflation and Policy
For global economies, lower oil prices offer a welcome reprieve amid persistent inflation concerns. The U.S. Federal Reserve is likely watching these developments closely, especially with two governors recently voicing support for rate cuts ahead of July’s policy meeting.
This week’s market movements underscore just how tightly global energy prices—and investor sentiment—are linked to geopolitical developments. While the ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope, the situation remains fluid, and markets are likely to remain on edge in the weeks ahead.
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