Global Markets:
- Asian Stock Markets : Nikkei up 0.73%, Shanghai Composite down 0.12% Hang Seng up 0.82% ASX down 0.16%
- Commodities : Gold at $4,546.12 (-1.02%) Silver at $75.745 (-0.17%), Brent Oil at $93.38 (2.49%), WTI Oil at $89.86 (2.78%)
- Rates : US 10-year yield at 4.468, UK 10-year yield at 4.8170, Germany 10-year yield at 2.9328
News & Data:
- (CAD) GDP m/m -0.1% to 0.1% expected
Markets Update:
South Korean stocks climbed to fresh record highs on Monday, outperforming mixed markets across the Asia-Pacific region as investors monitored ongoing uncertainty surrounding U.S.-Iran negotiations. Investor sentiment remained cautious after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was in “no hurry” to finalize an agreement with Iran, emphasizing that securing a strong deal was more important than reaching a quick resolution.
South Korea’s Kospi gained 1.31%, while the small-cap Kosdaq fell 1.58%. Samsung Electronics surged more than 3%, reaching a new all-time high and providing significant support to the broader market.
Elsewhere, Japan’s Nikkei 225 edged up 0.17%, while the Topix slipped 0.3%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.21%. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index rose 0.73%, whereas mainland China’s CSI 300 fell 0.32%.
Technology-related stocks also drew attention after SoftBank Group announced plans to invest 45 billion euros ($53 billion) over the next five years to develop artificial intelligence infrastructure in France. Shares of the Japanese conglomerate jumped 5% following the announcement.
Meanwhile, Trump stated that negotiations with Iran remain ongoing and reiterated his goal of preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Although he prefers a peaceful resolution, he warned that military action could resume if talks fail.
On Wall Street, major U.S. indexes closed at record highs on Friday, supported by strong technology stocks and lower crude oil prices, helping cap off a positive month for investors.
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