Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as investors weigh Iran tensions and ceasefire talks
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- Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Wednesday as investors weighed recent U.S. military action in Iran and fragile ceasefire talks.
- Japan's Nikkei 225 closed flat at 64,999.41 after hitting a fresh record high, while the Topix fell 0.52%.
- South Korea's Kospi rose 2.52% to 8,228.7, while the Kosdaq fell 3.36% to 1,133.13, boosted by Samsung Electronics gaining 2.68% after a provisional wage agreement.
- U.S. S&P 500 rose 0.61% to 7,519.12, reaching a fresh intraday all‑time high, while the Nasdaq gained 1.19% to 26,656.18.
- U.S. Dow Jones fell 0.23% to 50,461.68, despite the broader market rally.
Why it matters: Tech chip makers like Samsung gain from wage‑agreement stability, while oil importers confront higher costs as oil prices climb after the strikes; the equity rally lifts investors’ portfolios but spikes commodity volatility, prompting tighter risk management.
