Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
South Korea Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates as Inflation Stays Elevated 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Iraq PM Visits Washington as U.S. Oil, Gas Deals Take Center Stage 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Stronger Dollar Weighs, Yen Supported by GPIF Repatriation Hopes 
Asia Stocks Slip as Iran-Hormuz Tensions Lift Oil Prices, Dollar and Bond Yields 
Dollar Eases as Middle East Conflict, Fed Outlook and Japan Pension Policy Drive FX Markets 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Japanese Yen Holds Steady as Intervention Hopes Grow Ahead of U.S. CPI Data 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Goldman Sees Foreign Investors Driving India Stock Market Recovery 
Australia Consumer Sentiment Rises in July as Fuel Price Relief Lifts Confidence 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
Asian equity markets posted strong gains on Wednesday, driven by U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks signaling a potential end to military operations against Iran within two to three weeks. Renewed investor optimism, combined with bargain hunting following steep losses in March, fueled broad-based buying across the region.
South Korea's KOSPI led regional gains with an impressive 6.5% surge, recovering from a brutal March that saw the index shed over 19% of its value. Semiconductor heavyweights Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix each climbed as much as 10%, bouncing back from significant declines tied to concerns over long-term artificial intelligence-driven chip demand. Adding to the bullish momentum, South Korea reported a 48.3% jump in exports for March, while manufacturing activity expanded further according to the latest purchasing managers index figures.
Japan's Nikkei 225 and TOPIX indexes followed closely, gaining approximately 4% and 3.9%, respectively. Australia's ASX 200 and Singapore's Straits Times index each advanced around 1.7%. In mainland China, the CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite rose roughly 1.4% apiece, even as private PMI data revealed slower-than-expected manufacturing growth. Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 1.8%, boosted by a rebound in technology stocks.
The catalyst behind Wednesday's rally was Trump's announcement that Washington had largely achieved its objectives in Iran, including weakening its nuclear program and facilitating a change in Tehran's government. He indicated that no formal deal was required for a U.S. military withdrawal.
Despite the positive sentiment, uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz — a critical oil shipping corridor responsible for roughly 20% of global oil supply — kept energy markets on edge. Reports suggest the U.S. may rely on European, Asian, and Gulf allies to reopen the passage, leaving oil prices elevated amid ongoing supply concerns.
Wall Street also contributed to Asia's upbeat session, with overnight gains in U.S. equities and S&P 500 Futures edging up 0.2% in early trading.
