On Tuesday (30 June, 9:09 AM, GMT+7, Bangkok time), major indices in the Asia Pacific traded mixed after the U.S. markets advanced overnight. The move followed news that the United States and Iran reached an agreement to pause hostilities in the Middle East, reducing geopolitical tensions that had weighed on sentiment.
President Donald Trump announced on his official social media that direct talks between the U.S. and Iran are scheduled to take place Tuesday in Doha, Qatar. According to Trump, the talks were initiated at Iran’s request following recent unrest in the region.
Investors are now awaiting the outcome of the discussions, as well as key U.S. employment figures scheduled for release on Thursday, which are expected to influence expectations around the Federal Reserve’s policy path.
In economic data, China’s manufacturing activity expanded at a quicker pace in June, helped by strong external demand for advanced technology products. The official purchasing managers’ index rose to 50.3 in June, exceeding market forecasts of 50.1. The index had registered 50.0 in May.
Japan’s NIKKEI rose by 0.69% to 69,949.08. Australia’s ASX 200 climbed by 0.04% to 8,827.00, while South Korea’s KOSPI slid by 0.13% to 8,383.94.
As for stocks in China, Shanghai’s SSEC fell by 0.31% to 4,061.31. Hong Kong’s HSI contracted by 0.64% to 22,879.80, while Shenzhen’s SZI grew by 0.85% to 15,946.72.
The U.S. stock markets edged up on Monday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) surged 0.59% to 52,182.74. NASDAQ added 2.07% to 25,820.14, and S&P 500 gained 1.18% to 7,440.43. VIX plummeted by 4.13% to 17.65.
As for commodities, oil prices settled higher on Monday as fresh hostilities between the U.S. and Iran renewed concerns over the stability of their temporary peace arrangement. However, expectations that energy transport through the Strait of Hormuz will gradually recover capped the rise. Brent crude closed at $73.15 per barrel, gaining $1.16, or 1.61%. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude increased by $1.52, or 2.2%, ending the session at $70.75.
This morning, Brent futures declined 58 cents, or 0.79%, to $72.57 per barrel, and the WTI futures lost 44 cents, or 0.62%, to $70.31 per barrel.
Meanwhile, gold futures slumped by 1.44% to $3,980.70 per Troy ounce.
