Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
Asian Stocks Advance as Nikkei Nears Record High Ahead of Fed Decision 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
ASX Proposes New Share Dilution Limits for Public Takeovers 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Asian Currencies Stabilize as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High After Fed Hawkish Signal 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
German Auto Suppliers Turn Bearish as Investment and Jobs Shift Overseas 
Asian stock markets opened higher on Tuesday, supported by renewed optimism around artificial intelligence (AI) demand and reports that Iran may join peace talks with the United States. The positive sentiment helped lift regional equities, even as geopolitical tensions and central bank uncertainty kept investors cautious.
MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan climbed 0.9%, while South Korea’s Kospi surged 2.1% to reach a record high, its first since the Iran conflict began. Japan’s Nikkei 225 also advanced 1.2%. However, Australian stocks moved against the trend, slipping 0.3%. Meanwhile, S&P 500 futures edged up 0.1%, signaling a tentative recovery after recent losses on Wall Street.
Market confidence was partly driven by reports that Iran could still participate in negotiations with the U.S. in Pakistan, despite earlier indications it might skip the talks. However, the fragile ceasefire between the two nations remains under pressure following the U.S. seizure of an Iranian cargo ship, which prompted threats of retaliation from Tehran. Concerns over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz also pushed oil prices higher, although Brent crude later eased 0.4% to $95.09 per barrel.
Investors are closely watching the U.S. Federal Reserve outlook, particularly the Senate confirmation hearing of Kevin Warsh, former Fed official and President Donald Trump’s nominee for Fed chair. Warsh is expected to emphasize central bank independence while addressing his stance on interest rates and quantitative easing. Analysts note his past criticism of the Fed’s large balance sheet could influence future monetary policy decisions.
In currency markets, the U.S. dollar index held steady at 98.08, while the euro and British pound dipped slightly. Gold remained stable at $4,824, and cryptocurrencies showed limited movement, with Bitcoin and Ethereum trading lower. Overall, global markets remain sensitive to geopolitical developments, monetary policy signals, and AI-driven investment trends.
