investors weigh fragile Iran ceasefire, possible U.S.-Iran deal
Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour.
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Asia-Pacific markets rose on Wednesday; Japanese and South Korean benchmark indices hit new highs as investors weighed the latest US military action in Iran, the fragile state of the Washington-Tehran ceasefire and optimism that a deal could still be reached.
of japan Nikkei 225 Topix rose 0.57% to reach a new record high of 1.49%.
While South Korean Kospi gained 4.84% in value at the opening, small-scale Kosdaq lost 0.68% in value.
in Australia, S&P/ASX 200 It increased by 0.13%.
of hong kong Hang Seng index Futures contracts stood at 25,508, below the index’s last close of 25,599.45.
US forces carried out strikes in southern Iran early Tuesday that the Pentagon described as “self-defense”; targeted missile launch sites and Iranian ships allegedly attempting to plant mines; whereas Washington insisted that it was still imposing restrictions within the framework of an ongoing ceasefire.
The military action underlined the fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, where both sides continue to test the limits despite talks that the White House says are nearing completion.
President Donald Trump said Monday that talks with Iran to end the war are “progressing well.” However, he warned that the United States could go on the offensive if negotiations fail.
Overnight on Wall Street, S&P 500 And Nasdaq Composite It rose to intraday all-time highs on Tuesday, led by technology, as investors assessed developments in the Middle East.
broad market S&P 500 The technology-heavy index ended at 7,519.12 with an increase of 0.61%. Nasdaq It rose 1.19% to 26,656.18. Both indices closed at record highs. Dow Jones Industrial Average It ended at 50,461.68, losing 118.02 points or 0.23%. US stock markets were closed on Monday for the Memorial Day holiday.
— CNBC’s Sean Conlon and Fred Imbert contributed to this report
