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21/04/26
20
Asian Stocks Rise on Middle East Diplomacy Hopes
Asian equities advanced on Tuesday as investors grew more optimistic that diplomatic efforts could ease tensions in the Middle East. Reports indicating that the United States and Iran may resume negotiations helped improve risk appetite across the region, with traders looking for signs that the conflict could be contained without a broader economic disruption.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed more than 1% to trade near 59,450, supported by strength in technology and artificial intelligence-related shares. Sentiment was also helped by expectations that the Bank of Japan may leave interest rates unchanged this month while it assesses the potential economic effects of the conflict and monitors the outlook for domestic growth and inflation.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index edged up 0.11% to around 26,400 as hopes for progress in diplomacy bolstered market confidence. Investors appeared encouraged by the prospect that Iran could take part in discussions with the United States before a ceasefire deadline, raising expectations that tensions may ease in the near term.
South Korea’s Kospi outperformed regional peers, rising more than 2% to above 6,350 and touching a record high. The index benefited from lower geopolitical stress as well as continued strength in chipmakers, which remain central to the country’s equity market. Supporting that optimism, South Korea’s exports increased 49.4% year over year in the first 20 days of April, driven by a surge in semiconductor shipments of more than 180%.
China’s SSE Composite Index moved 0.24% lower to near 4,070, with caution lingering despite the broader improvement in sentiment. Beijing has urged an immediate ceasefire and a return to normal shipping through the strait, reflecting concern that prolonged instability could weigh on global trade and growth.
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