On Tuesday (4 August, 9:19 AM, GMT+7, Bangkok time), major indices in the Asia Pacific displayed mixed performance as investors weighed artificial intelligence valuations and geopolitical tensions related to the U.S. administration’s stance toward Iran.
Monday’s gains in major U.S. tech stocks offered some respite, but market participants remained cautious. The focus is shifting to a new round of corporate earnings, with investors searching for confirmation that extensive investments in AI are yielding tangible improvements in revenue and profitability.
Upcoming earnings reports slated to be released after the end of Tuesday’s trading include performances from Caterpillar, McDonald’s, and AMD.
On the geopolitical front, U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Monday that discussions with Iran were in progress, characterizing this as Iran’s final opportunity to reach a favorable deal aimed at resolving the Middle East conflict. Iranian officials, however, refuted claims of current or upcoming negotiations.
South Korea’s KOSPI rose by 1.07% to 6,324.68. Australia’s ASX 200 grew by 1.28% to 9,135.10, while Japan’s NIKKEI declined by 0.59% to 63,377.50.
As for stocks in China, Shanghai’s SSEC slid by 0.19% to 3,802.34. Hong Kong’s HSI fell by 0.54% to 25,870.01, while Shenzhen’s SZI surged 1.62% to 13,666.68.
The U.S. stock markets edged up on Monday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) increased by 1.32% to 53,178.41. NASDAQ jumped by 2.13% to 25,913.89, and S&P 500 gained 1.48% to 7,600.50. VIX contracted by 0.81% to 15.86.
As for commodities, oil prices dropped to their lowest levels in three weeks on Monday as markets reacted to Trump’s cancellation of a new military strike against Iran. The move was seen as potentially opening the door to an expedited agreement that could restore oil shipments from the Gulf region. Brent crude futures decreased by $6.35, or 7%, closing at $83.77 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude ended the session down $4.33, or 5.1%, at $80.34 per barrel.
This morning, Brent futures added 76 cents, or 0.91%, to $84.53 per barrel, and the WTI futures climbed 61 cents, or 0.76%, to $80.95 per barrel.
Meanwhile, gold futures rose 0.54% to $4,112.40 per Troy ounce.
