Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Peace Talks and Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
Gold Prices Drop as Fed Rate Outlook and Iran Tensions Weigh on Market 
US Stock Futures Rise as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Market Sentiment 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
Asian Currencies Stay Range-Bound as Investors Eye China Data, RBNZ Outlook and U.S.-Iran Ceasefire 
China Manufacturing PMI Edges Higher in June as Exports and AI Investment Boost Growth 
Trump Suspends Some Morocco Fertilizer Tariffs to Ease U.S. Supply Shortage 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
Gold Price Falls as Fed Rate Hike Fears and U.S.-Iran Tensions Weigh on Bullion 
China Sets 1.25% Overnight Reverse Repo Rate Below Market Expectations 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
Yen Falls to 40-Year Low as Markets Watch Japan Intervention and U.S. Jobs Report 
Dollar Slips Ahead of Key U.S. Jobs Data as Fed Rate Outlook, ECB, and Iran Talks Shape Forex Markets 
Trump Urges Gasoline Retailers to Cut Prices to $2.50 Per Gallon, Warns of Legal Action 
China Factory PMI Seen Returning to Growth in June as AI Export Demand Supports Economy 
Central Banks Eye Gold, Reduce Dollar Exposure as AI Adoption Accelerates: OMFIF Survey 
Trump Questions Housing Bill as He Prioritizes SAVE America Act 
Asian stock markets surged on Thursday, led by Japanese equities as investors reacted positively to signs of easing tensions between the United States and Iran. Growing optimism surrounding a possible U.S.-Iran peace agreement boosted global risk sentiment, sending major Asian indexes sharply higher.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 soared nearly 6% to a record high of 62,958 points after local markets reopened from an extended holiday break. The broader TOPIX index also gained more than 3%, supported by strong performances in technology and artificial intelligence-related stocks. Investor confidence improved further after AMD posted stronger-than-expected earnings, fueling a rally in global semiconductor shares. Japanese tech giant SoftBank Group jumped over 16% amid renewed enthusiasm for AI investments.
Wall Street’s overnight gains also provided strong momentum for Asian markets. Investors welcomed reports suggesting that Washington and Tehran were nearing a diplomatic agreement that could help end the ongoing conflict. Sentiment improved further after U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly paused military operations related to ship escorts in the Strait of Hormuz, easing fears of wider geopolitical disruption.
South Korean markets cooled slightly after a powerful rally earlier this year. The KOSPI slipped 0.2% on Thursday but remained the best-performing major Asian index in 2026, posting an impressive 71% year-to-date gain driven largely by semiconductor stocks.
Elsewhere in the region, Australia’s ASX 200 climbed 0.8% despite weaker-than-expected trade data showing an unexpected deficit in March. Chinese equities also advanced, with the Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 indexes rising around 0.2%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 1.5% thanks to strong technology shares.
Reports that the U.S. and China may include artificial intelligence discussions during an upcoming Trump-Xi summit in Beijing later this month also supported market optimism. Meanwhile, Singapore’s Straits Times Index added 0.3%, while India’s Nifty 50 futures edged 0.5% lower.
