ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
Dow Hits Record High as Healthcare and Consumer Stocks Lead Wall Street Rally 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
Oil Prices Jump After New U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Supply Concerns 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
Asian equity markets extended their winning streak on Wednesday, buoyed by strong performances in technology stocks and growing optimism surrounding potential U.S.-Iran diplomatic talks. The positive momentum followed a solid session on Wall Street, where the S&P 500 gained 1.2% — finishing just below an all-time high — and the Nasdaq surged nearly 2%, driven by robust tech sector strength.
Japan's Nikkei 225 rose approximately 1%, holding near record territory, while the broader TOPIX index gained 0.3%. South Korea's KOSPI was the standout performer, surging more than 3% and briefly crossing the 6,100 mark, bringing it close to the record highs reached earlier this year. The rally was largely fueled by memory chipmakers benefiting from rising artificial intelligence demand. SK Hynix shares reached a fresh all-time high, while Samsung Electronics also posted notable gains.
Across the region, Hong Kong's Hang Seng climbed over 1%, China's Shanghai Composite edged up 0.4%, and Singapore's Straits Times Index added 0.4%. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose modestly by 0.2%, while futures linked to India's Nifty 50 remained relatively flat.
Geopolitical developments also supported risk appetite. Reports suggesting that U.S.-Iran negotiations could resume helped ease tensions, even as underlying hostilities persisted. The U.S. has initiated a naval blockade of ships departing Iranian ports, while Tehran has threatened retaliation targeting Gulf state ports following the breakdown of weekend negotiations. Hopes for renewed dialogue pushed crude oil prices lower, reducing inflationary concerns and lending additional support to global equities.
Further bolstering market confidence, U.S. producer price data came in softer than anticipated, signaling that pipeline inflation pressures may be easing. Investors were also closely monitoring upcoming earnings results from major U.S. banks, which are expected to offer key insights into the health of the broader economy.
