Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Russian Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Dollar Holds Firm as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Tensions, GBP/USD Slips Amid UK Political Uncertainty 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Supply Concerns 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
100+ Global Companies Push Governments to Prioritize Electrification for Economic Growth 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
France Faces Long Road to Economic Rebalancing as Weak Demand and High Rates Weigh, Says Citi 
US Stock Futures Recover as Iran Signals Progress in Peace Talks 
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 
China Keeps Loan Prime Rates Unchanged for 13th Straight Month as Policymakers Prioritize Credit Demand Recovery 
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.
