Global Markets:
- Asian Stock Markets : Nikkei up 5.76%, Shanghai Composite up 0.25% Hang Seng up 1.55% ASX up 0.86%
- Commodities : Gold at $4,712.26 (0.36%) Silver at $78.190 (1.16%), Brent Oil at $101.97 (0.68%), WTI Oil at $95.65 (0.60%)
- Rates : US 10-year yield at 4.353, UK 10-year yield at 4.9420, Germany 10-year yield at 2.9943
News & Data:
- (USD) ADP Non-Farm Employment Change 109K to 118K expected
Markets Update:
Japan’s stock market surged on Thursday, with the benchmark Nikkei 225 soaring more than 5% to cross the 62,000 mark for the first time ever, as Asia-Pacific markets rallied despite renewed tensions in the Middle East. Investor sentiment remained upbeat after U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Iran would face bombing “at a much higher level” if it failed to agree to a peace deal.
The Nikkei rally was driven by strong gains in technology, financial and basic materials stocks. Shares of SoftBank jumped over 13%, while electronics maker Ibiden climbed 17%. Mitsui Kinzoku gained 16%, Renesas Electronics rose 13%, and Tosoh Corporation advanced 12%. Japan’s broader Topix index also gained 2.37%.
Elsewhere in the region, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 added 0.9%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 1.47%, while China’s CSI 300 edged 0.38% higher. However, South Korea’s Kospi reversed earlier gains to fall 0.68%, while the Kosdaq lost 0.56%.
Trump’s comments came amid reports that Washington and Tehran were close to reaching a deal to end the conflict. He also said the U.S. military campaign, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” could end if Iran agrees to the proposed terms, potentially reopening the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping, including Iran.
Upcoming Events:
- 12:30 PM GMT – USD Unemployment Claims
