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Asian Market Performance Indicators
Percentage change in major Asian market indices and commodities.
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Asia markets hit records on AI euphoria, Iran peace hopes
Published Wed, May 6, 2026 · 10:40 AM[SINGAPORE] Stocks leapt, oil prices sank and the US dollar dropped in the Asian morning on Wednesday (May 6) after US President Donald Trump touted “great progress” towards a “final agreement” with Teheran, while momentum in artificial intelligence-driven trades accelerated.Trump said that he would briefly pause an operation escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of global oil and has been blockaded by Iran since late February, triggering a global energy crisis.The news sent Brent crude tumbling 1.2 per cent to US$108.51 per barrel, while S&P 500 e-mini futures were up 0.3 per cent.MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan jumped 2.3 per cent to a fresh record, led by a 5.1 per cent surge in South Korea’s Kospi, clearing the 7,000 mark for the first time.“Markets embraced a sense of calm and stability overnight, with the risk of escalation in the Middle East conflict viewed as having diminished after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth ensured the ceasefire was still in place, despite the US and Iran trading blows yesterday,” analysts from Westpac wrote in a research note.“This put some wind in the sails for risk sentiment, supporting a rebound in equities across the US and Europe at the same time as crude oil prices partially unwound yesterday’s climb.”DECODING ASIANavigate Asia ina new global orderGet the insights delivered to your inbox.Stocks on Wall Street hit fresh records on Tuesday as the S&P 500 rose 0.8 per cent and the Nasdaq Composite gained 1 per cent.“Investors bought and continue to add to positioning in the 2026 winners,” said Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone Group in Melbourne. “There has been some buying in S&P 500 materials stocks, but it’s tech that continues to attract the bulk of flows, notably in Apple and the memory plays.”As the Seoul market reopened after a holiday, Samsung Electronics jumped 12 per cent, topping a US$1 trillion market value, overtaking Berkshire Hathaway and closing in on Walmart.SEE ALSO“Due to the capex spend we are seeing from hyperscalers in the US, the earnings growth trajectory for sectors such as semiconductors, tech hardware, industrials and materials in Asia exceeds anything I have seen in a long time,” said Rushil Khanna, head of equity investments for Asia at Ostrum, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers.“This capex is leading to material value creation in Asia as the provider of the picks and sho...
Asia markets hit records on AI euphoria, Iran peace hopes
Stocks leapt, oil prices sank and the dollar dropped in the Asian morning on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump touted "great progress" towards a "final agreement" with Tehran, while ...
Asia stocks rise tracking Wall St record highs; renewed Iran fears ...
Asian markets saw strong monthly gains in April, when equities rallied sharply on optimism around AI-related growth and easing fears after a temporary U.S.-Iran ceasefire.
Asia markets hit records on AI euphoria, Iran peace hopes
Asia markets surged to record highs as AI-driven trades gained momentum and oil prices dropped on Iran peace prospects. See how stocks and currencies reacted.
