Australia Posts Surprise Trade Deficit as Imports Surge on AI Equipment Demand 
Dollar Weakens as Iran Peace Hopes Boost Risk Appetite and Yen Gains Strength 
Wall Street Futures Climb as Trump Signals Iran Deal Progress 
Yen Volatility and Middle East Tensions Drive Dollar Strength in FX Markets 
Iran-U.S. Peace Deal Near as Oil Prices Fall and Nuclear Disputes Persist 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as RBA Rate Hike and Middle East Tensions Shape Market Sentiment 
Italy Services PMI Nears Stabilization as Middle East Tensions Push Costs Higher 
Wall Street Futures Slip After Record Rally Fueled by Iran Peace Hopes and AMD Surge 
European Stocks Volatile as U.S.-Iran Tensions Threaten Oil Supply and Global Markets 
RBA Raises Interest Rates to 4.35% Amid Rising Inflation Risks and Middle East Tensions 
China Banks Halt New Loans to Sanctioned Refineries Amid U.S.-Iran Oil Crackdown 
Yen Surges After Suspected Japan Currency Intervention 
Oil Prices Ease in Asian Trade as Gulf Tensions and Hormuz Shipping Risks Weigh on Markets 
Asian Currencies Rise as Middle East Tensions Ease, South Korean Won Surges After Inflation Data 
Fitch Upgrades Argentina to B- as Milei Reforms Strengthen Economy 
Asian Stocks Rally as Iran War Fears Ease and AI Boom Lifts South Korea 
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.
