Asian markets settled mostly higher on Monday, tracking Wall Street’s gains overnight amid hopes of easing tensions in the Middle East. Signs of progress in talks to end the nearly three-month-long US-Iran war sent crude oil prices sharply lower, helping to ease inflationary pressures and lower expectations for further interest rate hikes. However, the two sides remain at odds over key issues, including blockades on the critical waterway, Tehran's nuclear program and the release of a $12 billion frozen assets held in Qatar. Chinese shares gained, supported by strong performances in chipmakers and AI-related technology stocks. Markets in Hong Kong and South Korea were closed for holidays.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 4,152.57 | 39.67 | 0.96 |
| Hang Seng | -- | -- | -- |
| Jakarta Composite | 6,206.35 | 44.30 | 0.71 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,708.50 | -4.17 | -0.24 |
| Nikkei 225 | 65,158.19 | 1,819.12 | 2.87 |
| Straits Times | 5,070.55 | 2.40 | 0.05 |
| KOSPI Composite | -- | -- | -- |
| Taiwan Weighted | 43,644.40 | 1,376.43 | 3.26 |
