Global Markets:

•  Asian Stock Markets : Nikkei down 2.14%, Shanghai Composite down 0.53% Hang Seng down 1.02% ASX down 1.03%
• Commodities : Gold at $4,719.51 (-2.20%) Silver at $72.145 (-5.50%), Brent Oil at $106.71 (4.26%), WTI Oil at $104.57 (4.92%)
• Rates : US 10-year yield at 4.368, UK 10-year yield at 4.8340, Germany 10-year yield at 2.996

News & Data:

• (USD) ADP Non-Farm Employment Change  62K  to 41K  expected

Markets Update:

Asia-Pacific markets erased early gains on Thursday as investors reacted to fresh remarks from Donald Trump regarding the ongoing conflict with Iran. 

In his address, Trump said U.S. objectives in Iran were close to being achieved and emphasized that Washington “has all the cards” in the situation. He also warned that the United States could intensify its response against Iran over the next two to three weeks if conditions did not improve.

Earlier, Trump claimed that Iran’s “new regime president” had approached the U.S. seeking a ceasefire, although Tehran denied the statement. He added on Truth Social that Washington would consider any such request only after the Strait of Hormuz was fully reopened and safe for passage. This appeared to contrast with earlier reports suggesting the U.S. might end its campaign even if the strategic waterway remained restricted.

Following the remarks, Japan’s Nikkei 225 declined 1.4%, while the Topix slipped 0.94%. South Korea’s Kospi dropped 2.82%, and the Kosdaq fell about 3%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 also reversed early gains to trade 0.48% lower. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng opened 0.5% down, while mainland China’s CSI 300 remained largely unchanged. 

U.S. stock futures were mostly flat, though Wall Street closed higher overnight, with gains across major indices.

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