On Monday (27 April, 9:31 AM, GMT+7, Bangkok time), most major indices in the Asia Pacific increased as market participants seemed to brush aside renewed diplomatic difficulties between the United States and Iran. Persistent concerns over Middle East stability kept crude prices at higher levels, though investors appeared willing to focus on other catalysts.
According to information obtained by Axios, Iran has presented a fresh proposal, relayed through intermediaries from Pakistan, to the United States. The reported offer aims to negotiate terms for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and seeking an end to the ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, investor attention this week will also center on upcoming policy meetings by major central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, and Bank of Japan, as well as quarterly results from large technology firms. While markets predominantly expect interest rates to remain stable, traders remain sensitive to any indication that policymakers are increasingly concerned about inflationary pressures linked to oil supply disruptions.
Japan’s NIKKEI jumped by 1.53% to 60,631.40. South Korea’s KOSPI surged by 2.13% to 6,613.29, while Australia’s ASX 200 declined by 0.29% to 8,760.70.
As for stocks in China, Shanghai’s SSEC rose by 0.24% to 4,089.67. Shenzhen’s SZI grew by 0.58% to 15,026.49, while Hong Kong’s HSI slid by 0.09% to 25,955.72.
The U.S. stock markets edged up on Friday as NASDAQ advanced by 1.63% to 24,836.59. S&P 500 expanded by 0.80% to 7,165.08, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) dropped by 0.16% to 49,230.71. VIX plummeted by 3.11% to 18.71.
As for commodities, oil prices were mixed on Friday as traders assessed ongoing supply risks amid potential discussions between the United States and Iran. Brent crude finished the day at $105.33 per barrel, marking a modest increase of 26 cents, or 0.3%. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude declined, closing at $94.40 per barrel, a decrease of $1.45 or 1.5%.
This morning, the prices exhibited gains as the lack of progress in diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran, together with continued restrictions on tanker movements through the Strait of Hormuz, contributed to the tightness in global oil markets. Brent futures escalated $1.37 or 1.30% to $106.70 per barrel, and the WTI futures gained $1.13 or 1.20% to $95.53 per barrel.
Meanwhile, gold futures fell by 0.45% to $4,719.70 per Troy ounce.
