Hopes

• Global stock markets rose on Friday as investors reacted positively to hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough between the U.S. and Iran. • Oil prices declined, trending toward a weekly loss, as traders anticipated a potential ceasefire extension and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. • The market shift reflects a pivot toward risk-on sentiment, further supported by weekly inflows into U.S. equity funds driven by a rally in tech stocks.

• Asian stock markets surged, led by South Korea’s KOSPI which jumped 3.2% to near record levels and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index which rose 1%. • The rally was primarily driven by strong gains in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-linked shares, alongside optimistic hopes for peace in Iran. • The surge reflects growing investor confidence in the AI sector and a shift toward risk-on sentiment across regional markets.

• Stock markets in Japan and South Korea reached all-time closing highs, with Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 jumping 2.5% to 66,329.50 and South Korea’s Kospi surging 3.6% to 8,476.15. • The rally was driven by optimism that the U.S. and Iran will extend their ceasefire, alongside lower-than-expected core inflation data in Tokyo for May. • Technology stocks fueled the gains, particularly in South Korea where Samsung Electronics rose 5.8% due to the global artificial intelligence boom.

• Stock markets in Japan and South Korea reached record highs following reports of potential deal hopes between the US and Iran. • Other regional markets showed mixed results, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng rising 0.9% to 25,222.38 and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 climbing 1.6% to 8,731.70. • In contrast, the Shanghai Composite index declined by 0.9% to 4,063.56, while Taiwan's Taiex saw a significant increase of 2.5%.

• Stock markets in Japan and South Korea reached new record highs as global shares generally advanced. • The rally is driven by investor optimism that the U.S. and Iran will agree to extend their current ceasefire by 60 days. • Other regional markets showed mixed results, with Taiwan's Taiex rising 2.5% and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gaining 1.6%, while the Shanghai Composite fell 0.7% to 4,068.57.

• Asian stock markets surged, with exchanges in Tokyo, Seoul, and Taipei rising by more than 2% following hopes of a US-Iran ceasefire deal. • Crude oil prices declined, with the West Texas Intermediate benchmark falling below $88 a barrel. • The market optimism follows a positive trend on Wall Street, despite reports of lower first-quarter economic growth and April inflation reaching its highest level since 2023.

• Stock markets in Japan and South Korea reached new record highs as global shares generally advanced. • The surge is driven by investor optimism that the United States and Iran will agree to extend their current ceasefire, potentially winding down the conflict. • Other regional markets showed mixed results, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng rising 0.7% to 25,182.39 and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 climbing 1.6%, while the Shanghai Composite fell 0.7%.