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Asian Markets Surge Amid Eased Tensions
Most Asian stocks rose on Monday as concerns over the Israel-Iran conflict eased following a less-severe-than-expected attack by Israel. The Japanese market led gains amid heightened political uncertainty, reducing expectations for interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan (BoJ).
Japan's Political Landscape Influences Market
Japanese shares performed strongly, with the Nikkei 225 and TOPIX indexes increasing by 1.5% and 1.2%, respectively. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lost its parliamentary majority in Sunday’s elections, raising questions about the country's political future. This development has prompted investors to anticipate a more cautious approach from the BoJ regarding interest rates, contributing to a decline in the yen and benefiting export-driven companies.
The central bank is expected to maintain current rates in its upcoming meeting, further supporting market stability.
Broader Asian Market Movements
Other Asian markets followed suit, buoyed by optimism surrounding upcoming technology earnings and economic reports. Australia’s ASX 200 gained 0.1% in anticipation of key inflation data, while South Korea’s KOSPI rose 0.6%, driven by interest in artificial intelligence stocks.
Chinese markets lagged slightly, with the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite indexes remaining flat. Traders are awaiting purchasing managers' index data after several recent stimulus measures announced by Beijing.
Futures for India's Nifty 50 index indicated a positive open, suggesting potential bargain buying after recent losses.
