Global Markets:
- Asian Stock Markets : Nikkei up 0.92%, Shanghai Composite up 0.95% Hang Seng up 1.75% ASX up 0.31%
- Commodities : Gold at $4,371.80 (-1.55%) Silver at $67.050 (-3.45%), Brent Oil at $100.17 (4.42%), WTI Oil at $91.70 (4.07%)
- Rates : US 10-year yield at 4.385, UK 10-year yield at 4.9170, Germany 10-year yield at 3.0186
News & Data:
- (USD) Construction Spending m/m -0.3% to 0.1% expected
Markets Update:
Asia-Pacific markets pared earlier gains on Tuesday as oil prices rebounded, highlighting persistent investor caution over the ongoing Middle East conflict. Brent crude futures for May climbed more than 3.5% to $103.7 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate rose 4% to $91.72, recovering after Monday’s sharp drop that followed last week’s surge above $112.
Analysts noted that optimism in global equities faded after Iran denied reports of weekend negotiations with the United States, keeping concerns about a prolonged conflict in focus for markets.
South Korea’s Kospi initially jumped over 3% before easing to a 1.5% gain, while the Kosdaq advanced 1.7%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.1% and the Topix added 1.87% after data showed Japan’s inflation slowed for a fourth straight month in February. The consumer price index eased to 1.3%, its lowest level since March 2022 and below the central bank’s 2% target.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged up 0.32%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 1.62% and mainland China’s CSI 300 rose 0.52%.
Markets also reacted to comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said planned strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure were delayed following discussions. However, Iranian officials denied any negotiations had taken place.
Overnight, U.S. stocks rallied strongly, while gold and silver prices declined as risk sentiment improved slightly.
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