Market Update
China's Weak Economic Data Kept Market Enthusiasm In Check
Li Chen
17 Jun, 2026
Hong Kong
China's indexes lacked direction for the second consecutive session, and crude oil prices edged lower.
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.7%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index edged up 0.5% as investors reviewed the latest batch of economic updates released earlier.
China's consumer spending, fixed-asset investment, and new home sales pointed to persistent domestic demand weakness and lingering weakness in the property market.
Moreover, the urban jobless rate remained elevated, putting additional pressure to family formation and future property demand.
Brent crude oil prices edged up a fraction to $79.02 a barrel amid expectations that a possible agreement between the U.S. and Iran could pave the way for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as early as next month.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.7% to 24,318.53, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index added 0.5% to 4,906.38.
Banking and financial services providers turned lower for the second consecutive day following the release of mixed economic data.
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agriculture Bank of China, and China Construction Bank decreased about 1%.
AI- and semiconductor-linked stocks eased amid valuation worries, tracking losses in overnight trading in New York.
SMIC, Foxconn Industrial Internet, Foxconn Interconnect Technology, and Yangtze Optical Fiber and Cable declined between 2% and 6%.
China's Weak Economic Data Kept Market Enthusiasm In Check
Li Chen
17 Jun, 2026
Hong Kong
China's indexes lacked direction for the second consecutive session, and crude oil prices edged lower.
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.7%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index edged up 0.5% as investors reviewed the latest batch of economic updates released earlier.
China's consumer spending, fixed-asset investment, and new home sales pointed to persistent domestic demand weakness and lingering weakness in the property market.
Moreover, the urban jobless rate remained elevated, putting additional pressure to family formation and future property demand.
Brent crude oil prices edged up a fraction to $79.02 a barrel amid expectations that a possible agreement between the U.S. and Iran could pave the way for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as early as next month.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.7% to 24,318.53, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index added 0.5% to 4,906.38.
Banking and financial services providers turned lower for the second consecutive day following the release of mixed economic data.
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agriculture Bank of China, and China Construction Bank decreased about 1%.
AI- and semiconductor-linked stocks eased amid valuation worries, tracking losses in overnight trading in New York.
SMIC, Foxconn Industrial Internet, Foxconn Interconnect Technology, and Yangtze Optical Fiber and Cable declined between 2% and 6%.
Wall Street Welcomes End of Hostilities as Iran and Trump Claim Victory
Barry Adams
16 Jun, 2026
New York City
Stocks on Wall Street lacked direction in Tuesday's trading following a surge in the previous session.
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.02%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite edged higher 0.03%.
Cautious optimism prevailed in New York as investors awaited the details of a possible peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
The U.S. and Israel launched a war on Iran hoping to achieve a regime change, destroy Iran's military capabilities, and force the Islamic republic to end its nuclear program.
None of these objectives set out by the U.S. president have been achieved, and despite severe degradation of Iran's military hardware and damage to its fragile economy, Tehran's leaders have proven to be resilient.
Both the U.S. and Iran have offered often conflicting and contradictory explanations of the proposed peace agreement, which is likely to be signed as early as Sunday in Switzerland.
The deeply unpopular war has managed to hike fuel prices at home, disrupted global supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, and left Iran with greater leverage in future conflicts with Israel and the U.S.
Trump, who once demanded Iran's "unconditional surrender," is now ready to sign a peace deal with the regime that is even more hardline than the previous government.
Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has rejected the peace agreement framework between the U.S. and Iran, as the Jewish state continued to attack civilian and military targets in southern Lebanon.
With Iran's nuclear capabilities largely intact, the Islamic regime is likely to accelerate its pursuit of atomic weapons, as Israel pursues its "Greater Israel" plan to confiscate more territory from Lebanon and push the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain into accepting its air defense systems.
In Monday's stock trading, the S&P 500 index soared 1.7% and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 3% as investors held out for the resumption of commercial shipments through the Strait of Hormuz as early as next month.
West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices decreased 3% to $78.68 a barrel, and the international Brent crude oil prices dropped 2.5% to $81.15 a barrel.
In Tuesday's trading, benchmark indexes in Asia lacked momentum, and the Nikkei 225 touched a new record intraday high after the Bank of Japan raised its short-term rates to 1%, the highest since September 1995.
European markets extended the previous session's gains, and benchmark indexes in France, Germany, Italy, and the U.K. jumped around 0.7%.
U.S. Movers
SpaceX jumped 8.1% to $210.09 following a surge of 19% on Friday and Monday, as retail investors continued to bid for the defense and AI company, overlooking the lack of near-term profit visibility.
Dave & Buster's Entertainment plunged 15% to $10.47, extending this year's losses to over 45% after the company's revenue and comparable store sales fell short of estimates.
Revenue in the fiscal first quarter ending on May decreased 1.5% to $559.2 million; net income plunged to $5.7 million from $21.7 million, and diluted earnings per share declined to 16 cents from 62 cents a year ago.
Comparable store sales decreased 5.4%, but the CEO Tarun Lal held out for "positive comps for the remainder of the year" and "generating free cash flow over $100 million in fiscal 2026."
The company has often struggled to drive a singular message as the company promotes being a family-friendly arcade and adult sports bar, sometimes failing to appeal to both market segments.
Moreover, food quality and customer service have often lagged customer expectations, and many patrons in the past have complained about venues often understaffed and food overpriced.
The company is operating under a heavy debt load and managed to return to profitability in its latest quarter after declaring losses in the previous two consecutive quarters.
Wall Street Welcomes End of Hostilities as Iran and Trump Claim Victory
Barry Adams
16 Jun, 2026
New York City
Stocks on Wall Street lacked direction in Tuesday's trading following a surge in the previous session.
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.02%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite edged higher 0.03%.
Cautious optimism prevailed in New York as investors awaited the details of a possible peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
The U.S. and Israel launched a war on Iran hoping to achieve a regime change, destroy Iran's military capabilities, and force the Islamic republic to end its nuclear program.
None of these objectives set out by the U.S. president have been achieved, and despite severe degradation of Iran's military hardware and damage to its fragile economy, Tehran's leaders have proven to be resilient.
Both the U.S. and Iran have offered often conflicting and contradictory explanations of the proposed peace agreement, which is likely to be signed as early as Sunday in Switzerland.
The deeply unpopular war has managed to hike fuel prices at home, disrupted global supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, and left Iran with greater leverage in future conflicts with Israel and the U.S.
Trump, who once demanded Iran's "unconditional surrender," is now ready to sign a peace deal with the regime that is even more hardline than the previous government.
With Iran's nuclear capabilities largely intact, the Islamic regime is likely to accelerate its pursuit of atomic weapons, as Israel pursues its "Greater Israel" plan to confiscate more territory from Lebanon and push the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain into accepting its air defense systems.
In Monday's stock trading, the S&P 500 index soared 1.7% and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 3% as investors held out for the resumption of commercial shipments through the Strait of Hormuz as early as next month.
West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices decreased 3% to $78.68 a barrel, and the international Brent crude oil prices dropped 2.5% to $81.15 a barrel.
In Tuesday's trading, benchmark indexes in Asia lacked momentum, and the Nikkei 225 touched a new record intraday high after the Bank of Japan raised its short-term rates to 1%, the highest since September 1995.
European markets extended the previous session's gains, and benchmark indexes in France, Germany, Italy, and the U.K. jumped around 0.7%.
U.S. Movers
SpaceX jumped 8.1% to $210.09 following a surge of 19% on Friday and Monday, as retail investors continued to bid for the defense and AI company, overlooking the lack of near-term profit visibility.
Dave & Buster's Entertainment plunged 15% to $10.47, extending this year's losses to over 45% after the company's revenue and comparable store sales fell short of estimates.
Revenue in the fiscal first quarter ending on May decreased 1.5% to $559.2 million; net income plunged to $5.7 million from $21.7 million, and diluted earnings per share declined to 16 cents from 62 cents a year ago.
Comparable store sales decreased 5.4%, but the CEO Tarun Lal held out for "positive comps for the remainder of the year" and "generating free cash flow over $100 million in fiscal 2026."
The company is operating under a heavy debt load and managed to return to profitability in its latest quarter after declaring losses in the previous two consecutive quarters.
Wall Street Welcomes End of Hostilities as Iran and Trump Claim Victory
Barry Adams
16 Jun, 2026
New York City
Stocks on Wall Street lacked direction in Tuesday's trading following a surge in the previous session.
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.02%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite edged higher 0.03%.
Cautious optimism prevailed in New York as investors awaited the details of a possible peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
The U.S. and Israel launched a war on Iran hoping to achieve a regime change, destroy Iran's military capabilities, and force the Islamic republic to end its nuclear program.
None of these objectives set out by the U.S. president have been achieved, and despite severe degradation of Iran's military hardware and damage to its fragile economy, Tehran's leaders have proven to be resilient.
Both the U.S. and Iran have offered often conflicting and contradictory explanations of the proposed peace agreement, which is likely to be signed as early as Sunday in Switzerland.
The deeply unpopular war has managed to hike fuel prices at home, disrupted global supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, and left Iran with greater leverage in future conflicts with Israel and the U.S.
Trump, who once demanded Iran's "unconditional surrender," is now ready to sign a peace deal with the regime that is even more hardline than the previous government.
With Iran's nuclear capabilities largely intact, the Islamic regime is likely to accelerate its pursuit of atomic weapons, as Israel pursues its "Greater Israel" plan to confiscate more territory from Lebanon and push the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain into accepting its air defense systems.
In Monday's stock trading, the S&P 500 index soared 1.7% and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 3% as investors held out for the resumption of commercial shipments through the Strait of Hormuz as early as next month.
West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices decreased 3% to $78.68 a barrel, and the international Brent crude oil prices dropped 2.5% to $81.15 a barrel.
In Tuesday's trading, benchmark indexes in Asia lacked momentum, and the Nikkei 225 touched a new record intraday high after the Bank of Japan raised its short-term rates to 1%, the highest since September 1995.
European markets extended the previous session's gains, and benchmark indexes in France, Germany, Italy, and the U.K. jumped around 0.7%.
U.S. Movers
SpaceX jumped 8.1% to $210.09 following a surge of 19% on Friday and Monday, as retail investors continued to bid for the defense and AI company, overlooking the lack of near-term profit visibility.
Dave & Buster's Entertainment plunged 15% to $10.47, extending this year's losses to over 45% after the company's revenue and comparable store sales fell short of estimates.
Revenue in the fiscal first quarter ending on May decreased 1.5% to $559.2 million; net income plunged to $5.7 million from $21.7 million, and diluted earnings per share declined to 16 cents from 62 cents a year ago.
Comparable store sales decreased 5.4%, but the CEO Tarun Lal held out for "positive comps for the remainder of the year" and "generating free cash flow over $100 million in fiscal 2026."
The company is operating under a heavy debt load and managed to return to profitability in its latest quarter after declaring losses in the previous two consecutive quarters.
Bank of Japan Lifted Short-Term Policy Rate to a Three-Decade High
Akira Ito
16 Jun, 2026
Tokyo
Japan's benchmark indexes reversed earlier losses on Tuesday as investors reacted to the latest rate decisions from the central bank.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.4% and reached to an intraday record high, the broader TOPIX decreased 0.1%, and the yen stayed above 160 levels against the U.S. dollar for the second consecutive week.
The Bank of Japan raised its short-term reference rate by 25% to 1%, the highest since 1995.
Policymakers stepped up to contain fallout from Iran's war-driven energy inflation spilling over into the broader economy amid an uncertain geopolitical outlook.
The central bank raised rates for the first time since December, when it increased rates to 0.75%, and rates have been increased to 1% for the first time since September 1995.
The yield on 10-year Japanese government bonds edged up a fraction to 2.64%, and policymakers struggled to balance the risk of slower economic growth and employment with gathering inflationary pressures.
Despite the three-decade-high interest rate, domestic economic growth remains weak, driven by persistent weakness in wage growth and household spending.
Moreover, the weakness in the yen persisted because of a wide interest rate differential with the U.S., supporting the carry trade activity and overcoming repeated intervention efforts by the Ministry of Finance.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 0.4%, and the broader TOPIX decreased 0.1% to 3,995.57.
Technology stocks led gainers in Tuesday's trading, tracking overnight gains in New York. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite soared 3.1%, and memory and advanced chipmakers surged between 8% and 19%.
Kioxia Holdings gained 6%, SoftBank Group decreased 0.2%, Tokyo Electron decreased 1.4%, Fujikura Ltd. increased 7.4%, and Advantest Corp. added 4.4%.
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial decreased 1.3%, Mizuho Financial edged down 0.02%, and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial eased 0.8%.
Bank of Japan Lifted Short-Term Policy Rate to a Three-Decade High
Akira Ito
16 Jun, 2026
Tokyo
Japan's benchmark indexes reversed earlier losses on Tuesday as investors reacted to the latest rate decisions from the central bank.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.4%, the broader TOPIX decreased 0.1%, and the yen stayed above 160 levels against the U.S. dollar for the second consecutive week.
The Bank of Japan raised its short-term reference rate by 25% to 1%, the highest since 1995.
Policymakers stepped up to contain fallout from Iran's war-driven energy inflation spilling over into the broader economy amid an uncertain geopolitical outlook.
The yield on 10-year Japanese government bonds edged up a fraction to 2.64%, and policymakers struggled to balance the risk of slower economic growth and employment with gathering inflationary pressures.
Despite the three-decade-high interest rate, domestic economic growth remains weak, driven by persistent weakness in wage growth and household spending.
Moreover, the weakness in the yen persisted because of a wide interest rate differential with the U.S., supporting the carry trade activity and overcoming repeated intervention efforts by the Ministry of Finance.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 0.4%, and the broader TOPIX decreased 0.1% to 3,995.57.
Technology stocks led gainers in Tuesday's trading, tracking overnight gains in New York. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite soared 3.1%, and memory and advanced chipmakers surged between 8% and 19%.
Kioxia Holdings gained 6%, SoftBank Group decreased 0.2%, Tokyo Electron decreased 1.4%, Fujikura Ltd. increased 7.4%, and Advantest Corp. added 4.4%.
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial decreased 1.3%, Mizuho Financial edged down 0.02%, and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial eased 0.8%.
China's Weak Retail Sales and Property Sector Data Confirmed Domestic Imbalances
Li Chen
16 Jun, 2026
Hong Kong
China's benchmark indexes lacked direction as investors reviewed the latest batch of economic data.
The Hang Seng Index declined 1.2%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index increased 0.1% amid weak property sector and retail sales data.
New home prices across 70 cities decreased 3.5% from a year ago in May, marking the 35th consecutive month of decline and highlighting the prolonged weakness in the property sector.
In other economic news, China's retail sales turned lower in May, highlighting the persistent weakness in domestic demand even as exports skyrocketed.
Retail sales declined 0.6% from a year ago in May, down from a 0.2% rise in April, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Retail sales declined for the first time since China lifted its COVID-19-related restrictions in December 2022. For the January-May period, sales advanced 1.4%, underscoring a weak demand growth outlook.
Household activity remained weak despite the Labor Day holiday at the start of May amid job market uncertainty and weakness in the property sector, driven by a 16.1% decrease in automobile sales.
Meanwhile, industrial output growth accelerated to an annual pace of 4.5% in May from 4.1% in April but was slower than 5.7% in March, the statistical bureau confirmed in a separate report.
China's overall fixed-asset investment declined 4.1% in the January-May period, compared to a 1.6% fall over the first four months of the year.
The struggling property sector weighed on the overall fixed-investment data, which cover items such as infrastructure, manufacturing, and property.
Real estate investment fell 16.2% in the January-May period, compared to a decrease of 13.7% over the first four months.
China's urban jobless rate eased to 5.1% in May compared to 5.2% in April and 5.4% in March, according to an update from the statistical bureau.
The latest flood of economic data confirmed the importance of export activities, providing stability in the broader economy, as exports in May advanced at an annual pace of 19.4% and imports rose annually at 27.4%.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 1.2% to 24,537.09, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index added 0.1% to 4,898.1.
Financial stocks participated in the market weakness, and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agriculture Bank of China, and China Construction Bank decreased around 0.5%.
China's Weak Retail Sales and Property Sector Data Confirmed Domestic Imbalances
Inga Muller
16 Jun, 2026
Hong Kong
China's benchmark indexes lacked direction as investors reviewed the latest batch of economic data.
The Hang Seng Index declined 1.2%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index increased 0.1% amid weak property sector and retail sales data.
New home prices across 70 cities decreased 3.5% from a year ago in May, marking the 35th consecutive month of decline and highlighting the prolonged weakness in the property sector.
In other economic news, China's retail sales turned lower in May, highlighting the persistent weakness in domestic demand even as exports skyrocketed.
Retail sales declined 0.6% from a year ago in May, down from a 0.2% rise in April, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Retail sales declined for the first time since China lifted its COVID-19-related restrictions at the end of 2022. For the January-May period, sales advanced 1.4%, underscoring a weak demand growth outlook.
Household activity remained weak despite the Labor Day holiday amid job market uncertainty and weakness in the property sector, driven by a 16.1% decrease in automobile sales.
Meanwhile, industrial output growth accelerated to an annual pace of 4.5% in May from 4.1% in April but was slower than 5.7% in March, the statistical bureau confirmed in a separate report.
China's overall fixed-asset investment declined 4.1% in the January-May period, compared to a 1.6% fall over the first four months of the year.
The struggling property sector weighed on the overall fixed-investment data, which cover items such as infrastructure, manufacturing, and property.
Real estate investment fell 16.2% in the January-May period, compared to a decrease of 13.7% over the first four months.
China's urban jobless rate eased to 5.1% in May compared to 5.2% in April and 5.4% in March, according to an update from the statistical bureau.
The latest flood of economic data confirmed the importance of export activities, providing stability in the broader economy, as exports in May advanced at an annual pace of 19.4% and imports rose annually at 27.4%.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 1.2% to 24,537.09, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index added 0.1% to 4,898.1.
Financial stocks participated in the market weakness, and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agriculture Bank of China, and China Construction Bank decreased around 0.5%.
U.S. and Global Markets Turned Higher as Investors Reacted to U.S.-Iran Deal Claims
Barry Adams
15 Jun, 2026
New York City
Stocks on Wall Street traded higher on Monday as investors reviewed progress in the U.S.-Iran peace talks, and crude oil prices plunged.
The S&P 500 Index increased 0.9%, and the tech-dominated Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.8% amid rising expectations over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. president claimed a longer-lasting peace deal with Iran, without offering key details about the agreement.
The U.S. president has struggled to list benefits and concessions won from Iran following a two-monthlong conflict and repeatedly claimed that Iran's military capabilities have been "totally destroyed."
Despite the multiple assertions by the U.S. president, Iran has successfully struck the U.S. military bases in the Middle East and conducted missile strikes targeting locations in Israel.
Despite the lack of peace agreement details, unverifiable claims of the U.S. president, and ongoing hostilities in the region, investors held out for the resumption of commercial shipments through the narrow passageway in the Middle East.
Benchmark indexes in Japan soared nearly 5%; in South Korea, they surged as much as 8%; in India, they advanced 1%; and in mainland China, they jumped nearly 2%.
In Europe, market indexes in Germany and France gained more than 1% and edged up a fraction in the U.K.
In a holiday-shortened week, U.S. investors are awaiting the release of retail sales and the latest update on the housing sector.
Stock exchanges are closed in New York on Friday to observe Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S.
U.S. Movers
Space Exploration Technology Corp, or SpaceX, surged 19% to $160.95 in Friday's trading after the company completed its initial public offering at $135 per share and sold 555.6 million shares, raising $75 billion.
The largest ever U.S. initial public offering attracted strong interest from retail investors, and the public offering was oversubscribed by four times.
On Monday, SpaceX's stock increased 5% to $169.31, despite growing calls from analysts warning that the company's current business fundamentals, near-term revenue growth, and lack of profitability point to substantially lower valuations.
SpaceX's successful public offering highlights the investor demand for high-growth and high-risk companies that are leading innovation in space and Internet technologies.
U.S. and Global Markets Turned Higher as Investors Reacted to U.S.-Iran Deal Claims
Barry Adams
15 Jun, 2026
New York City
Stocks on Wall Street traded higher on Monday as investors reviewed progress in the U.S.-Iran peace talks, and crude oil prices plunged.
The S&P 500 Index increased 0.9%, and the tech-dominated Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.8% amid rising expectations over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. president claimed a longer-lasting peace deal with Iran, without offering key details about the agreement.
The U.S. president has struggled to list benefits and concessions won from Iran following a two-monthlong conflict and repeatedly claimed that Iran's military capabilities have been "totally destroyed."
Despite the multiple assertions by the U.S. president, Iran has successfully struck the U.S. military bases in the Middle East and conducted missile strikes targeting locations in Israel.
Despite the lack of peace agreement details, unverifiable claims of the U.S. president, and ongoing hostilities in the region, investors held out for the resumption of commercial shipments through the narrow passageway in the Middle East.
Benchmark indexes in Japan soared nearly 5%; in South Korea, they surged as much as 8%; in India, they advanced 1%; and in mainland China, they jumped nearly 2%.
In Europe, market indexes in Germany and France gained more than 1% and edged up a fraction in the U.K.
In a holiday-shortened week, U.S. investors are awaiting the release of retail sales and the latest update on the housing sector.
Stock exchanges are closed in New York on Friday to observe Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S.
U.S. Movers
Space Exploration Technology Corp, or SpaceX, surged 19% to $160.95 in Friday's trading after the company completed its initial public offering at $135 per share and sold 555.6 million shares, raising $75 billion.
The largest ever U.S. initial public offering attracted strong interest from retail investors, and the public offering was oversubscribed by four times.
On Monday, SpaceX's stock increased 5% to $169.31, despite growing calls from analysts warning that the company's current business fundamentals, near-term revenue growth, and lack of profitability point to substantially lower valuations.
SpaceX's successful public offering highlights the investor demand for high-growth and high-risk companies that are leading innovation in space and Internet technologies.
Japan's Indexes Soared After the U.S. President Claimed Peace Deal with Iran
Akira Ito
15 Jun, 2026
Tokyo
Japan's benchmark indexes shot up in Monday's trading amid hopes of a longer-term peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran, paving the way to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average soared 5%, and the broader TOPIX advanced more than 3%, and the yen hovered around 160 against the U.S. dollar.
Optimism prevailed in Asian trading as investors reacted to a possible peace deal between Iran and the U.S.; however, key details of the agreement appeared unresolved.
Commercial shipments through the Strait of Hormuz could resume as early as July if a tentative agreement could lift the dual blockade.
At least 1,700 oil tankers are stuck in the Persian Gulf, and about 10 million barrels of oil per day are prevented from reaching global markets.
The yen hovered at the 160 level amid hopes that the Bank of Japan is ready to lift rates by 25 basis points to contain inflation and support the beleaguered currency.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average soared 5% to 69,305.05, and the broader TOPIX jumped 3% to 4,004.92.
Tech stocks surged following SpaceX's strong debut in New York on Friday, which bolstered investor interest in high-growth and high-risk opportunities.
Murata Manufacturing surged 17%, SoftBank Group soared 10%, Tokyo Electron gained 8%, Advantest jumped 7%, and Kioxia Holdings gained 11%.
IHI Corp soared 11%, Toyota Motor advanced 4.5%, Honda Motor gained 4%, and Fujikura Ltd gained 2.2%.
Japan's Indexes Soared After the U.S. President Claimed Peace Deal with Iran
Akira Ito
15 Jun, 2026
Tokyo
Japan's benchmark indexes shot up in Monday's trading amid hopes of a longer-term peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran, paving the way to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average soared 5%, and the broader TOPIX advanced more than 3%, and the yen hovered around 160 against the U.S. dollar.
Optimism prevailed in Asian trading as investors reacted to a possible peace deal between Iran and the U.S.; however, key details of the agreement appeared unresolved.
Commercial shipments through the Strait of Hormuz could resume as early as July if a tentative agreement could lift the dual blockade.
At least 1,700 oil tankers are stuck in the Persian Gulf, and about 10 million barrels of oil per day are prevented from reaching global markets.
The yen hovered at the 160 level amid hopes that the Bank of Japan is ready to lift rates by 25 basis points to contain inflation and support the beleaguered currency.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average soared 5% to 69,305.05, and the broader TOPIX jumped 3% to 4,004.92.
Tech stocks surged following SpaceX's strong debut in New York on Friday, which bolstered investor interest in high-growth and high-risk opportunities.
Murata Manufacturing surged 17%, SoftBank Group soared 10%, Tokyo Electron gained 8%, Advantest jumped 7%, and Kioxia Holdings gained 11%.
IHI Corp soared 11%, Toyota Motor advanced 4.5%, Honda Motor gained 4%, and Fujikura Ltd gained 2.2%.
China's indexes Advanced On U.S.-Iran Deal Optimism
Li Chen
15 Jun, 2026
Hong Kong
China's indexes advanced following optimism over a tentative U.S.-Iran peace deal and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.5%; the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index gained 1.5% after the U.S. and Iran confirmed the potential peace deal in the Middle East.
Brent crude oil prices dropped 5% to $83.17 a barrel in the hopes that commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is likely to resume as early as next week.
Despite the market optimism, key details of the agreement are unresolved, and no official text has yet been released.
Benchmark indexes across Asia soared on the peace deal's optimism, and market indexes in Japan and South Korea rose 5% and advanced more than 1.6% in India.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.5% to 24,829.62, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index advanced 1.5% to 4,847.65.
Artificial intelligence and semiconductor-linked stocks led gainers in Shanghai and Hong Kong trading.
Zijin Mining soared 5%, Zijin Gold International surged 13%, CATL advanced 3%, and CNOOC dropped 4%.
China's indexes Advanced On U.S.-Iran Deal Optimism
Li Chen
15 Jun, 2026
Hong Kong
China's indexes advanced following optimism over a tentative U.S.-Iran peace deal and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.5%; the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index gained 1.5% after the U.S. and Iran confirmed the potential peace deal in the Middle East.
Brent crude oil prices dropped 5% to $83.17 a barrel in the hopes that commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is likely to resume as early as next week.
Despite the market optimism, key details of the agreement are unresolved, and no official text has yet been released.
Benchmark indexes across Asia soared on the peace deal's optimism, and market indexes in Japan and South Korea rose 5% and advanced more than 1.6% in India.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.5% to 24,829.62, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index advanced 1.5% to 4,847.65.
Artificial intelligence and semiconductor-linked stocks led gainers in Shanghai and Hong Kong trading.
Zijin Mining soared 5%, Zijin Gold International surged 13%, CATL advanced 3%, and CNOOC dropped 4%.