4:24PM Signing off... Link copied to clipboard Thanks for following our coverage of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and surging energy prices in the US. You can keep up to date with the latest here . 4:22PM Markets hold steady amid ceasefire hopes Link copied to clipboard As markets head towards the close in the UK, the FTSE 100 has remained broadly flat, with defence companies and oil majors amongst the biggest losers as the US’ shaky ceasefire with Iran kept intact. Comments from Israeli Prime Minister ⁠Benjamin Netanyahu that he was seeking direct talks with Beirut helped boost sentiment that the ceasefire might continue to hold. Oil prices remained broadly stable at around $98 per barrel, down from highs of above $110 before the ceasefire was announced, though still above pre-war levels of around $70 per barrel. In the US, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq edged higher on Friday, setting both indices up for their biggest weekly gains since November and June, respectively.…