Oil Prices Ease as Iran Tensions Clash With Diplomacy Hopes 
US Stock Futures Fall as Treasury Yields Surge Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit 
Australia Unemployment Hits Five-Year High Despite Strong Jobs Growth 
US 10-Year Treasury Yield at 6% Emerges as New Market Risk Threshold 
Trump, Xi Focus on Trade and AI at White House Summit 
Wall Street Falls as Treasury Yields Surge, Oil Rebounds on Iran Tensions 
Russian Envoy Dmitriev Heads to US for Ukraine Talks 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High 
U.S. Dollar Hits Two-Month High as Oil, Treasury Yields Surge 
Asian Stocks Fall as Surging Bond Yields Rattle Markets 
US, China Extend Trade Truce to Jan. 10 Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit 
Japanese Bank Stocks Surge as Bond Yields Fuel Rate Hike Bets 
Gold Prices Fall as Treasury Yields Rise on Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Asian Stocks Fall as Bond Yields Surge Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit 
U.S. 10-Year Treasury Yield Hits 2007 High as Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
Japan Private-Sector Growth Slows as Domestic Demand Weakens 
Add as a preferred source on Google
Asian stock markets traded mostly lower on Tuesday as renewed U.S. military strikes in Iran weakened investor confidence and reduced optimism surrounding a potential Middle East peace agreement. Despite the cautious sentiment, South Korean equities surged to fresh record highs, supported by strong gains in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related stocks.
Investor concerns increased after the United States launched defensive strikes targeting missile sites and vessels in southern Iran. The attacks came while diplomatic discussions aimed at easing tensions continued in Doha. Although U.S. President Donald Trump stated that negotiations with Iran were “proceeding nicely,” he also noted there was no urgency to finalize a deal, leaving markets uncertain.
Oil prices rebounded following sharp losses in the previous session, driven by hopes that any agreement could help stabilize crude shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude climbed toward $98 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude traded near $92.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index slipped 0.3% after reaching an all-time high in the previous trading session, while the broader TOPIX index edged slightly lower. Japanese chipmaker stocks had previously boosted the market amid continued global demand for AI and semiconductor technologies.
Chinese equities also weakened, with the Shanghai Composite dropping 0.8% and the CSI 300 index falling 0.3%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.4%, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index eased 0.3%. India’s Nifty 50 remained largely unchanged.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s KOSPI surged more than 3% to a record high, led by semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Strong investor enthusiasm surrounding AI-driven chip demand continued to support the sector.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 0.5% as technology shares rallied sharply. Investor optimism improved after Huawei unveiled a major semiconductor design breakthrough, boosting confidence in China’s efforts to reduce dependence on U.S. technology. Shares of Hua Hong Semiconductor and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp posted strong gains following the announcement.
