Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Asian stock markets surged Tuesday following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a potential ceasefire between Israel and Iran, boosting investor confidence and risk appetite. South Korea’s KOSPI index led regional gains, jumping 2.5% as shares of Samsung Electronics rose 3.5%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index followed with a 1.8% increase, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed nearly 1%, and the TOPIX rose 0.8%.
Trump revealed the tentative ceasefire through a post on Truth Social, outlining a staged plan starting with a 12-hour pause from Iran, followed by a similar move from Israel, leading to a potential end to hostilities within 24 hours. The announcement came just days after U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and Tehran’s retaliatory missile attack on a U.S. base in Qatar. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that no ceasefire had been finalized.
Despite the uncertainty, markets responded positively. China’s Shanghai Composite rose 0.9%, while the CSI 300 gained 1.1%. Southeast Asian markets also advanced, with Singapore’s Straits Times Index up 0.5%, Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite surging over 2%, and the Philippines’ PSEi rallying 2%. India’s Nifty 50 Futures were also up 1% during Asian hours.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 1%, supported by strong corporate news. Rio Tinto and Hancock Prospecting announced a joint A$2.4 billion (US$1.61 billion) investment in the Hope Downs 2 iron ore project in Western Australia. Each firm will invest US$800 million, with expected annual output of 31 million tonnes by 2027. Rio Tinto’s shares rose on the news, contributing to broader market optimism.
