On Wednesday (27 May, 9:13 AM, GMT+7, Bangkok time), most major indices in the Asia Pacific saw upward movements, with Japanese and South Korean shares setting new records, following recent U.S. military operations in Iran and continuing uncertainty over the Washington-Tehran ceasefire. Market participants maintained cautious optimism regarding the prospect of a negotiated settlement between the two nations.
Separately, data released Wednesday showed industrial profits in China climbed 24.7% in April compared to the previous year, representing the strongest monthly gain since November 2023. This followed a 15.8% increase reported in March.
Cumulatively, from January through April, Chinese companies saw profits increase by 18.2%, accelerating from a 15.5% rise noted in the first quarter.
Japan’s NIKKEI rose by 1.02% to 65,659.24. South Korea’s KOSPI soared by 4.11% to 8,378.57, and Australia’s ASX 200 grew by 0.07% to 8,663.50.
As for stocks in China, Shanghai’s SSEC fell by 0.20% to 4,137.00. Hong Kong’s HSI dropped by 0.22% to 25,543.25, while Shenzhen’s SZI surged by 0.48% to 15,952.28.
The U.S. stock markets edged up on Tuesday as NASDAQ jumped by 1.19% to 26,656.18. S&P 500 gained 0.61% to 7,519.12, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) contracted by 0.23% to 50,461.68. VIX increased by 2.53% to 17.01.
As for commodities, oil prices settled higher on Tuesday following U.S. military strikes in Iran, reducing optimism that recent talks between the two nations could resolve the three-month conflict and restore access for vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude settled $3.44 higher at $99.58 per barrel, marking a 3.6% increase. U.S. West Texas Intermediate closed $2.71 lower, down 2.8% to $93.89 per barrel.
This morning, Brent futures declined 86 cents, or 0.86%, to $98.72 per barrel, and the WTI futures lost $1.13, or 1.20%, to $92.76 per barrel.
Meanwhile, gold futures climbed by 0.07% to $4,505.30 per Troy ounce.
