Asia markets falter as hot US inflation, shaky Iran ceasefire weigh

May 13, 2026 9:23 AM

Asia markets falter as hot US inflation, shaky Iran ceasefire weigh

Stocks started the Asian session on the back foot on Wednesday, with talks between Washington and Tehran at a standstill as hotter-than-expected U.S. inflation underscored the growing economic toll of the Middle East conflict. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.6%, down for a second day as Korean shares fell as much as 3.2% before rebounding. The Korean market has been on a tear in recent weeks, breaching records regularly on an AI-led rally that some traders s...

Asia markets hit records on AI euphoria, Iran peace hopes

May 6, 2026 10:22 AM

Asia markets hit records on AI euphoria, Iran peace hopes

Stocks leapt, oil prices sank, and the dollar dropped in Asia on Wednesday morning after U.S. President Donald Trump touted “great progress” toward a “final agreement” with Tehran, while momentum in AI-driven trades accelerated. Trump said he would briefly pause an operation escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of global oil and has been blockaded by Iran since late February, triggering a global energy crisis. The news sent Brent crude tumbling 1.2%...

Asia markets rally on optimism Iran war could end soon

April 1, 2026 9:45 AM

Asia markets rally on optimism Iran war could end soon

Stocks and bonds rallied and the dollar wallowed at the start of the Asian trading session on Wednesday on hopes of a de-escalation in the Iran conflict, while significantly better-than-expected economic data for March propelled a rebound in Korean and Japanese shares. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 2.7%, snapping a four-day losing streak as South Korea's Kospi surged as much as 5.5%. The Nikkei 225 also jumped 3.9% at one point, after U.S. President Donald Tr...