Asian stocks today: Markets rise on hopes of US-Iran breakthrough; oil, inflation worries persist

Asian markets traded higher on Friday as investor sentiment improved on hopes of progress in US-Iran peace talks, although rising oil prices and continued uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz kept inflation concerns in focus.Tokyo led regional gains, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 surging more than 2 per cent. Taiwan’s market climbed nearly 1.5 per cent, while Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Wellington, Jakarta, Bangkok, Manila, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur also traded in positive territory.MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.3 per cent and was on track for a modest weekly gain.

Optimism over US-Iran talks lifts sentiment

Investor confidence was supported by signs of progress in diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East.US secretary of state Marco Rubio said there had been “some good signs” in negotiations, though differences remained over Iran’s uranium stockpile and control of the Strait of Hormuz.“I believe the Pakistanis will be travelling to Tehran today. So hopefully that’ll advance this further,” Rubio said.US President Donald Trump, however, warned earlier this week that talks were on the “borderline” between a peace deal and renewed military action.“If we don’t get the right answers, it goes very quickly. We’re all ready to go,” Trump said.

Oil prices remain volatile

Despite optimism in equities, oil prices continued to fluctuate sharply amid fears of prolonged supply disruptions.Brent crude rose around 2 per cent to above $104 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate climbed to nearly $98 per barrel.Markets remain concerned over the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route that normally carries nearly one-fifth of global energy supplies.Elevated oil prices have forced traders to reassess global interest rate expectations, with markets now pricing in possible US Federal Reserve rate hikes later this year instead of earlier expectations for cuts.“We’re seeing an unusually strong linkage between oil prices and global rates,” Mitch Reznick of Federated Hermes was quoted as saying by Reuters, adding that central banks may need to keep policies tighter for longer to control inflation.

Samsung wage deal, Japan inflation in focus

In South Korea, workers at Samsung Electronics began voting on a tentative wage agreement that helped avert a planned 18-day strike, news agency AFP reported.The proposed deal includes a new stock-linked bonus pool for semiconductor employees.However, Samsung Electronics shares fell more than 1.5 per cent in Friday trading.Meanwhile, Japanese government data showed core inflation slowed to 1.4 per cent in April, below market expectations, complicating the Bank of Japan’s future rate hike plans.On Wall Street, sentiment remained cautiously positive overnight. The Dow Jones closed 0.6 per cent higher, though Nvidia shares slipped 1.8 per cent despite strong earnings, while Walmart dropped sharply after issuing a cautious consumer outlook.