[MARKET ANALYSIS] Global equities rise on plans of a Middle East ceasefire; ARM surging after the announcement of the sale of its own chips

European bourses (STOXX 600 +1.5%) are entirely in the green, benefiting from the reports that US is planning a one-month ceasefire and 15-point agreement, which has reportedly been sent to the Iranian side for review. The DAX is the slight outperformer, with Siemens Energy leading gains within the index, while positive German Ifo metrics helps support the German index. UK inflation for February printed in line with expectations, with the core figure slightly hotter-than-expected. Since the data is outdate amid the surge in energy prices, little reaction was seen in the FTSE 100.
Sectors, for the first time in a while, are all gaining. Industrial Goods and Services tops the sector pile, closely followed by Technology. On the other hand, Telecoms lags.
Key movers include Novonesis, Crest Nicholson and Rio Tinto. Alongside the higher metals prices, Rio Tinto benefits after the Co. secured a deal with the Australian government to keep the Boyne smelter running till at least 2040. For Crest Nicholson, the Co. delivered a trading update in which the Group has seen sustained improvement in sales rate and affirms outlook. Finally, Novonesis got a double upgrade at Citi from sell to buy.
US equity futures are following its European peers, trading with decent gains. Arm Holdings is surging in pre-market trade after the Co. announced that it will sell its own chips for the first time, forecasting annual revenue of around USD 15bln within 5 years.