Asian stocks surged to record highs on 7 May as investors priced in growing hopes of a potential Middle East peace deal, while oil prices eased and the U.S. dollar weakened amid shifting global risk sentiment.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 crossed the 62,000 level for the first time after reopening from a holiday, extending a technology-led rally supported by strong corporate earnings.
South Korea’s KOSPI and Taiwan’s Taiwan Weighted Index also hit record highs.
The broader MSCI Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan rose around 1%, marking another all-time high and extending gains for the week.
Kyle Rodda, Senior Financial Analyst at Online Trading said she was being cautious.
"But we've seen this story before, and the rug could get pulled out of the market pretty quickly too. Ultimately, if we keep seeing progress in talks, Asian markets will keep rallying."
Investor sentiment improved after reports that Iran was reviewing a peace proposal linked to efforts to end the ongoing conflict and stabilise energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
Analysts, however, warned that uncertainty remains over whether key issues - including Iran’s nuclear programme and the reopening of the strategic waterway - can be resolved.
Oil prices, which had fallen nearly 8% in the previous session, steadied in early Asian trade but remained volatile after recent swings driven by conflict risks.
Oil, inflation and policy risks
Brent crude oil traded slightly higher at around $102 a barrel, still well above levels seen before the conflict began.
The war, which began in February, has pushed oil prices roughly 40% higher overall, adding pressure to global inflation and bond yields.
U.S. Federal Reserve officials have warned that sustained high energy prices could fuel inflationary pressures and strain global supply chains.
Analysts from Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) noted that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz would not have an immediate effect on the prices.
In currency markets, the dollar index slipped to 98.03 as the euro and sterling extended gains.
The Japanese yen remained in focus after sharp moves in recent sessions, with traders speculating about possible intervention by Japanese authorities amid volatility.
According to OCBC analysts, the main question is whether the Ministry of Finance will continue to defend the yen or has already deployed sufficient firepower.
"Intervention alone is unlikely to shift the broader trend unless backed by stronger policy support like a more assertive BOJ (Bank of Japan) hiking cycle or better alignment with external drivers such as lower oil prices and U.S. yields," the analysts stated, sticking to their year-end target of 155.
On Wall Street, both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite closed at record highs, supported by strong corporate earnings, particularly in the technology sector.
Investors are now awaiting U.S. non-farm payrolls data due on Friday, which is expected to provide further clues on the health of the world’s largest economy.
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Trump said the U.S. and Iran were making progress in peace talks, though direct negotiations remain premature. Meanwhile, Israel, reportedly, ...
Israel carried out airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Wednesday evening, the first such attack th...
U.S. President Donald Trump has predicted a swift end to the war with Iran, as Tehran considers a U.S.-backed peace proposal that sour...
Asian stocks surged to record highs on 7 May as investors priced in growing hopes of a potential Middle East peace deal, while oil prices ease...
Trump said the U.S. and Iran were making progress in peace talks, though direct negotiations remain premature. Meanwhile, Israel, reportedly, struck senior Hezbollah and Hamas figures and tensions over Hormuz and Tehran’s nuclear programme continue.
U.S. President Donald Trump has predicted a swift end to the war with Iran, as Tehran considers a U.S.-backed peace proposal that sources say could formally end the conflict but leaves several core disputes unresolved.
Latvian authorities said two drones entered NATO member Latvia from Russian territory and crashed on Thursday morning, with officials linking them to Ukraine’s wider drone operations against targets in Russia.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 7th of May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran wanted to negotiate and make a deal in comments to reporters on Wednesday (6 May). But earlier, he warned Washington would ramp up attacks if no agreement was reached.
Trump said the U.S. and Iran were making progress in peace talks, though direct negotiations remain premature. Meanwhile, Israel, reportedly, struck senior Hezbollah and Hamas figures and tensions over Hormuz and Tehran’s nuclear programme continue.
Argentinian authorities are reconstructing the journeys of Dutch citizens who presented with symptoms of deadly hantavirus after visiting Argentina and Chile as part of a luxury cruise trip, the country's Health Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday (6 May)
The United Arab Emirate said it was dealing with missile and drone attacks from Iran for the second day in a row on Tuesday (5 May), despite denials from authorities in Tehran who threatened a "crushing response" if the UAE retaliated.
The 61st Venice Biennale has opened under grey skies and political tension, with disputes over Russia and Israel, resignations on the jury, and protests marking the start of one of the art world’s most high-profile events.
Stocks around the world climbed to fresh record highs on Wednesday (6 May), while oil prices fell sharply, after reports suggested the United States and Iran were nearing an agreement to end conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will raise tariffs on cars and trucks imported from the European Union to 25% next week, up from the 15% level agreed last year, accusing the bloc of failing to comply with its trade commitments.
The decision by the United Arab Emirates to leave OPEC+ on 1 May has put renewed focus on one of the most influential groups in global energy - and how its decisions can shape oil prices worldwide.
The United Arab Emirates has said it's quitting OPEC from 1 May, dealing a major blow to the oil producers’ group and its de facto leader, Saudi Arabia, amid disruption caused by the Iran war.
As the Iran war disrupts global flows of oil and gas and energy prices skyrocket, the Drin River, which descends through the mountains of northern Albania, is acting as a kind of shield.
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