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Asian Markets
APAC on the rise as Nikkei, Kospi extend record highs
Asia-Pacific markets traded higher on Friday as investors weighed renewed military activity involving Iran against signs that Washington and Tehran were moving closer to a temporary agreement to halt their three-month conflict. By 11:25 am AEST (1:25 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.8%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed 1.8% to a fresh record high. South Korea’s KOSPI 200 surged 2.1%, also reaching a record high. Investor sentiment improved after reports emerged that the United States and Iran were nearing a temporary ceasefire arrangement, despite continued military incidents in the region. In South Korea, economic data showed industrial output fell 0.6% in April from the previous month, according to figures released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics. Retail sales also weakened sharply, contracting 3.6%, while facility investment declined amid uncertainty linked to Middle East tensions. Japanese economic data was more upbeat. Industrial output in April rose 0.8% month-on-month, outperforming expectations for a 0.9% contraction and improving from a fall of 0.4% in the previous month. Retail sales in Japan increased 2.1% year-on-year in April 2026, accelerating from a revised 1.4% gain in March and exce
Asian Markets
APAC slips as ongoing US-Iran talks sour sentiment
Asia-Pacific equity markets traded lower on Thursday, pulling back from recent record levels as investors assessed mixed signals from ongoing United States-Iran negotiations alongside a fragile ceasefire environment. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said discussions with Iran had made “some progress” and reiterated that “we’re going to give it every chance to succeed”, adding that Washington prefers “the negotiated diplomatic route”. However, President Donald Trump maintained that the United States would not allow Iran to control the key Strait of Hormuz as part of any agreement, keeping geopolitical uncertainty elevated. By 11:15 am AEST (1:15 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.8%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 eased 0.1%, and South Korea’s KOSPI also slipped 0.1%. In monetary policy developments, the Bank of Korea left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.50% on Thursday, in line with market expectations. The subdued regional tone followed a modestly positive session on Wall Street, where major U.S. indices extended record territory. The Dow Jones rose 0.4%, the S&P 500 gained 0.02%, and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.1%. In commodities, Brent crude oil prices fell 4.6% to US$92.25 per barrel, while spot gold de
Asian Markets
APAC markets mixed; Nikkei and Kospi extend records
Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Wednesday, with Japanese and South Korean benchmarks extending record highs as investors balanced optimism over corporate earnings against ongoing geopolitical uncertainty surrounding Iran and fragile ceasefire negotiations. The region reacted to recent United States military activity in Iran, with Pentagon-confirmed “self-defence” strikes carried out in southern Iran early Tuesday. The strikes targeted missile launch sites and vessels allegedly attempting to deploy mines, even as Washington maintained it was operating under a ceasefire framework. By 11:25 am AEST (1:25 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.2%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.6% and South Korea’s KOSPI surged 4.2%, with both Japanese and Korean benchmarks extending record highs. In South Korea, business sentiment improved for a third consecutive month, reaching a 3½-year high in May, supported by strong semiconductor-driven exports. The Composite Business Sentiment Index (CBSI) for all industries came in at 98.9 in April, up four points from the previous month, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK). The reading marked the highest level since October 2022 and the strongest monthly increase since May 2023.
Asian Markets
APAC markets mixed; Kospi hits record high
Asian-Pacific markets traded mixed on Tuesday as investors weighed ongoing United States-Iran negotiations amid lingering geopolitical risks and shifting energy prices. President Donald Trump said on Monday that talks with Iran were “proceeding nicely”, while cautioning that military action could resume if diplomacy failed. However, reports also indicated that U.S. military forces had carried out strikes on targets in Iran near the Strait of Hormuz, described by a military spokesperson as defensive operations. Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command, told NBC News that the operations were “self-defence strikes” targeting “missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines”. The strikes reportedly occurred in Bandar Abbas in southern Iran, near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. No changes were announced to the temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran, which came into effect on 8 April, although tensions remain elevated. “U.S. Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire,” Hawkins said. Separately, Trump said in a post on Truth Social that disputed nuclear material would either be handed over
Asian Markets
APAC markets start the week higher; Nikkei hits record
Asia-Pacific markets began the week on a positive note, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 hitting a record high in holiday-thinned trading as falling oil prices and renewed optimism over Middle East negotiations boosted investor sentiment. Reports suggesting progress toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz helped ease concerns over energy supply disruptions, weighing on crude prices and supporting risk assets across the region. United States President Donald Trump noted in a Truth Social post: “The negotiations are proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner, and I have informed my representatives not to rush into a deal in that time is on our side.” Brent and West Texas Intermediate oil futures were trading 7% and 4.5% lower following Trump’s remarks, extending recent declines as markets priced in a potential easing of geopolitical tensions after earlier supply concerns had driven prices higher. By 11:30 am AEST (1:30 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged up 0.1%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 2.9% to a fresh record high. South Korea’s KOSPI 200 was closed for a public holiday. On Friday, Wall Street finished higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 0.6% to a record close. The S&P 500 gained 0.4%, while the

Asian Markets
APAC rises; investors monitor M.East developments
Asia-Pacific markets traded higher on Friday as investors assessed diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran aimed at securing a peace agreement in the Middle East. Investor sentiment improved amid retreating oil prices in U.S. trading overnight, on hopes of progress in negotiations, although reports that Tehran plans to retain its enriched uranium stockpile within the country continued to complicate discussions with Washington. U.S. President Donald Trump has made dismantling Iran’s nuclear program a central objective of the military campaign against Tehran, while Iranian officials have resisted calls to transfer enriched uranium overseas. By 12:00 pm AEST (2:00 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 had gained 0.5%, South Korea’s KOSPI 200 rose 0.4%, and Japan’s Nikkei 225 rallied 2.1%. Japanese markets were supported by easing inflation data, although concerns remain that higher energy prices linked to the Middle East conflict could reignite price pressures in the coming months. Japan’s headline inflation rate eased to 1.4% in April from 1.5% previously. Annual core consumer inflation, which excludes volatile fresh food prices, also slowed to a four-year low of 1.4%, below market expectations for a 1.7%
Asian Markets
APAC markets surge on Iran deal hopes
Asia-Pacific equities traded higher on Thursday, tracking Wall Street’s overnight rally, as optimism grew that progress in United States-Iran negotiations could help ease Middle East tensions. United States President Donald Trump said Washington was in the “final stages” of negotiations with Iran, according to a pool report, fuelling expectations of a potential de-escalation in the region and supporting risk appetite across global markets. By 11:45 am AEST (1:45 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 1.4%, South Korea’s KOSPI surged 6.9%, and Japan’s Nikkei 225 advanced 3.4%. Among data releases, South Korea’s inflation pipeline showed renewed pressure, with producer prices rising at the fastest pace in more than 28 years last month, driven by persistently high oil prices. The producer price index (PPI) lifted 2.5% month-on-month and 6.9% year-on-year, marking the strongest annual gain in over three years. The Bank of Korea noted that producer prices have now increased for eight consecutive months, signalling potential upward pressure on consumer inflation in the months ahead as higher input costs filter through the economy. In Australia, labour market data surprised to the downside, with the unemployment rate ris
Asian Markets
APAC in the red as US yields rise; M.East tensions simmer
Asia-Pacific markets traded lower on Wednesday as investors reacted to rising United States Treasury yields and renewed geopolitical tensions after U.S. President Donald Trump said he had been close to authorising a military strike against Iran. Trump said on Tuesday he was “an hour away” from deciding to attack Iran before being persuaded to postpone the move for several days, adding to uncertainty surrounding the conflict in the Middle East. Bond markets remained under pressure as investors continued selling Treasurys amid concerns that inflation pressures could be reaccelerating. The yield on the 30-year U.S. Treasury bond briefly climbed to 5.197% during the U.S. session overnight, marking its highest level since July 2007. By 11:45 am AEST (1:45 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 had fallen 0.7%, South Korea’s KOSPI 200 dropped 2%, and Japan’s Nikkei 225 declined 1.8%. In China, the People’s Bank of China left its benchmark loan prime rates unchanged, in line with market expectations. The one-year loan prime rate remained at 3%, while the five-year rate was held at 3.5%. The cautious tone followed a weaker session on Wall Street overnight, where all three major U.S. indexes closed lower amid rising bond yie
Asian Markets
APAC markets mixed as Japan GDP beats
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Tuesday as oil prices eased slightly from elevated levels following news that United States President Donald Trump had postponed a planned military strike on Iran. By 11:40 am AEST (1:40 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 added 0.8%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.1%, while South Korea’s KOSPI 200 fell 3.6%. Among data releases, Japan’s economy delivered a stronger-than-expected performance in the first quarter of 2026, growing at an annualised 2.1%, supported by resilient consumption and robust export activity. This compared with market expectations of 1.7%. The data does not fully reflect the economic impact of the Iran war, which began at the end of February. In Australia, the Westpac–Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index rose 3.5% to 83 in May from 80.1 in April. Matthew Hassan, Head of Australian Macro-Forecasting, said: "Despite a small improvement, consumers remain deeply pessimistic. Some of last month’s shock from the spike in fuel prices has eased. The temporary halving in fuel excise tax has helped to reduce average pump prices by nearly 30¢/litre since April. "However, this positive would have been largely offset by the RBA’s 25bp rate hike at the start of the m