Asian markets rallied on Monday, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 and South Korea’s KOSPI surging to fresh all-time highs as investor optimism remained resilient despite escalating geopolitical risks in the Middle East. In contrast, oil prices jumped sharply following a breakdown in U.S.-Iran diplomacy and heightened tensions near the Strait of Hormuz.
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Asian Equities Reach New Peaks
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 climbed 1.4% to close at a record high, while South Korea’s KOSPI jumped 1.83% – also reaching unprecedented levels, reflecting strong regional investor sentiment. Australian shares edged lower, however, with the S&P/ASX 200 slipping 0.54% on mild profit-taking. Elsewhere, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dipped 0.17%, while mainland China’s CSI 300 posted a modest gain of 0.25%, supported by data showing industrial profits surged 15.8% year‑on‑year in March, accelerating from the 15.2% growth recorded in the January–February period.
| Index | Performance |
|---|---|
| Japan – Nikkei 225 | +1.4% (record high) |
| South Korea – KOSPI | +1.83% (record high) |
| Australia – S&P/ASX 200 | -0.54% |
| Hong Kong – Hang Seng | -0.17% |
| China – CSI 300 | +0.25% |
Oil Prices Surge as Geopolitical Risks Rise
Global oil benchmarks jumped sharply over the weekend after former President Donald Trump announced that plans to dispatch envoys to Islamabad for negotiations with Iran had been scrapped, raising concerns about prolonged uncertainty in the region. Brent crude surged more than 2% to trade above $107 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude gained nearly 1.8% to hover around $96 per barrel. Prices were further supported by reports that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard intercepted two cargo vessels in the Strait of Hormuz – a critical global shipping route.
US Market Outlook
U.S. stock futures pointed to a softer open, with Dow Jones futures declining 0.2%, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures each fell around 0.3%. Nevertheless, Wall Street closed last week on a strong footing: the S&P 500 rose 0.8% to finish at a record 7,165.08, and the Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.63% to an all‑time high of 24,836.60.
Overall, global markets remain caught between robust equity momentum and escalating geopolitical risks, with oil prices acting as a key barometer for investor sentiment in the near term.
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