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APAC markets mixed amid ceasefire uncertainty
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Thursday, with Japan and South Korea benchmarks trading at all-time high valuations as investors balanced a positive lead from Wall Street against ongoing uncertainty surrounding negotiations between the United States and Iran. Trump extended a two-week ceasefire earlier in the week, citing what he described as a “seriously fractured” government in Tehran. He indicated the ceasefire would remain in place until Iran submitted a proposal or discussions concluded, while U.S. military forces would continue enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports. However, the outlook for diplomatic progress remains unclear. Iranian state media reported that Tehran’s negotiators would not participate in further talks, describing them as a “waste of time”. Tensions in the region were further heightened after Iran’s navy said it had seized two container ships in the Strait of Hormuz. By 11 am AEST (1 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 had fallen 0.5%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 traded 0.4% higher, and South Korea’s KOSPI 200 added 1.9%. Economic data releases across the region painted a mixed picture of growth and sentiment. South Korea’s economy expanded at its fastest quarterly pace in more than five
Asian Markets
APAC trades mixed as US-Iran uncertainties persist
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Wednesday, with investor sentiment weighed down by uncertainty surrounding United States-Iran negotiations after President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire while maintaining pressure on Tehran. “Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. He added that the ceasefire would remain in place until Iran submits a proposal or talks conclude, while confirming that U.S. forces would continue the blockade of Iranian ports. In a separate post on Truth Social, Trump noted: “Iran doesn’t want the Strait of Hormuz closed, they want it open so they can make $500 Million Dollars a day (which is, therefore, what they are losing if it is closed!). They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to ‘save face’.” Despite the extension, the outlook for negotiations remains uncertain. Iranian state media reported that Tehr
Asian Markets
APAC mixed; investors monitor US-Iran talks
Asia-Pacific markets opened in a mixed fashion on Tuesday, supported by cautious optimism over potential diplomatic progress in the Middle East, even as tensions between the United States and Iran remained elevated. Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf struck a defiant tone, criticising Washington’s approach to negotiations. "Trump, by imposing a siege and violating the ceasefire, seeks to turn this negotiating table — in his own imagination — into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering. “We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield.” The comments followed warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said “lots of bombs [will] start going off” if no agreement is reached before a fragile ceasefire expires on Tuesday evening. Trump has also threatened overwhelming military action should talks fail, even as U.S. officials reportedly prepare for a potential return to negotiations in Pakistan. By 11:00 am AEST (1 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.3%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1% and South Korea’s KOSPI advanced 2%. Overnight in the United States, markets closed slightly wea
Asian Markets
APAC mixed as investors digest US-Iran reports
Asia-Pacific markets opened mixed on Monday as investors remained cautious amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran following a naval confrontation in the Gulf of Oman. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday via a post on Truth Social that a U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer had fired on and disabled an Iranian-flagged cargo ship before Marines boarded and seized the vessel, marking a further escalation in the standoff. The strategic waterway, which links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, remains a focal point for global energy markets. The United States has maintained a naval blockade of ships entering and exiting Iranian ports since last week. Tehran has condemned the blockade as a violation of the ceasefire agreement and cited it as a key reason for withdrawing from planned peace talks in Islamabad. Trump warned that the U.S. would escalate its response if Iran fails to meet Washington’s demands, stating he would “knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran” if an agreement is not reached. By 11:10 am AEDT (1:10 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 had fallen 0.4%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 0.7%, and South Korea’s KOSPI 200 lifted 1.2%. In China, the centra
Asian Markets
APAC markets fall despite ceasefire optimism
Asia-Pacific markets opened lower on Friday, as cautious optimism surrounding developments in the Middle East failed to fully offset investor uncertainty, diverging from Wall Street’s record-setting performance. Sentiment remained fragile despite United States President Donald Trump stating that the war in Iran “should be ending pretty soon”, reinforcing expectations that the conflict may be nearing a resolution. Hours earlier, Trump confirmed that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire set to begin at 5 pm ET (9 pm GMT), a move seen as a potential stepping stone towards broader regional de-escalation. Iran’s parliamentary speaker has indicated that a halt in Israeli attacks on Lebanon is a key condition for initiating negotiations between the United States and Iran. Trump also said that the next round of in-person talks between Washington and Tehran could take place “probably, maybe, next weekend”. A separate two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is due to expire on 21 April, adding a near-term focal point for markets. By 11:20 am AEDT (1:20 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 had fallen 0.4%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 declined 1%, and South Korea’s KOSPI 200 slipped 0.5%. The subdued performance ca

Asian Markets
APAC stocks rise alongside Iran deal hopes
Asia-Pacific markets traded higher on Thursday, following gains on Wall Street as investor optimism grew over the prospect of a diplomatic resolution to the United States-Iran conflict. Regional equities have rallied throughout the week, supported by expectations that tensions between Washington and Tehran could ease. U.S. President Donald Trump reinforced this optimism, stating in a Fox Business interview that the Iran war is “very close to over”, adding that Tehran is keen to “make a deal very badly”. A White House official also confirmed that discussions around a second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran are ongoing, although no formal schedule has been set. By 10:45 am AEDT (12:45 am GMT), major regional indices were posting gains. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged 0.1% higher, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.3%, and South Korea’s KOSPI 200 climbed 1.4%. Investors are also focused on upcoming economic data, with Australia’s employment report due for release at 11:30 am AEST. Markets are expecting employment growth of around 20,000, a slowdown from the previous reading of 48,900, which could provide fresh insight into the resilience of the domestic labour market. Overnight in the United States,
Asian Markets
APAC markets gain on hopes of renewed US-Iran talks
Asia-Pacific markets traded higher on Wednesday, tracking gains on Wall Street overnight as falling oil prices and renewed hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough between the United States and Iran supported investor sentiment. Regional equities were buoyed by reports that a second round of negotiations between Washington and Tehran is under discussion, although no formal timetable has been confirmed. U.S. President Donald Trump reinforced optimism earlier in the week, stating, “We’ve been called by the other side,” adding, “They’d like to make a deal very badly.” By 11:35 am AEDT (1:35 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.2%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 0.8%, while South Korea’s KOSPI 200 outperformed with a 2.9% advance. In South Korea, economic data highlighted mounting price pressures. Import prices surged 16.1% month-on-month in March, marking the sharpest increase in more than 28 years and accelerating significantly from a 1.5% rise in February, according to preliminary figures from the Bank of Korea. The increase was largely driven by higher global oil prices amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The data marked the steepest monthly gain since January 1998 and extended a nine-month run of increases. On an
Asian Markets
APAC on the rise amid US-Iran deal optimism
Asia-Pacific markets opened higher on Tuesday as investors remained hopeful that a diplomatic agreement between Washington and Tehran could still be reached, even as tensions escalated following the implementation of a U.S. blockade on Iranian shipments in the Strait of Hormuz. A fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran has come under increasing strain, with both sides accusing each other of breaching the terms of the truce. The United States on Monday confirmed it had begun blocking ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports via the Strait of Hormuz, in a move aimed at increasing pressure on Tehran to reopen the vital oil route after peace talks collapsed. Iranian officials warned that the move would push global energy prices higher. “Enjoy the current pump figures. With the so-called ‘blockade’, Soon you’ll be nostalgic for $4–$5 gas,” Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said in a post on X on Sunday. By 11:20 am AEDT (1:20 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 had gained 0.4%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.7%, and South Korea’s KOSPI 200 surged 3.2%. On the economic front, Australian data highlighted ongoing pressure on households as Westpac’s consumer sentiment index plunged 12.5% in Apr
Asian Markets
APAC mixed as oil resumes climb on Iran blockade
Asia-Pacific markets opened mixed on Monday as investors reacted to escalating geopolitical tensions after Donald Trump moved to impose a naval blockade on Iranian ports following the collapse of United States-Iran negotiations. The breakdown of talks in Islamabad over the weekend has reignited fears that the conflict in the Middle East could drag on, fuelling concerns about sustained disruptions to global energy supply and rising inflationary pressures. Oil prices surged in response to the developments. West Texas Intermediate crude jumped 8.2% to US$104.51 per barrel in early deals, while Brent crude climbed 7% to US$101.86 per barrel. Trump is also reportedly weighing a resumption of airstrikes on Iran, according to The Wall Street Journal, adding to market unease. By 11:45 am AEST (1:45 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.4%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.8%. South Korea’s KOSPI 200 declined 1%. The cautious tone followed a mixed session on Wall Street at the end of last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.6%, the S&P 500 slipped 0.1%, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.4%. Commodity markets had been softer prior to the latest escalation. On Friday, Brent crude eased 0.8% to US$95.20 per barr