Asian stock markets experienced a significant uptick, led by South Korea’s KOSPI and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a tentative ceasefire between Israel and Iran. This announcement enhanced investor sentiment across the region.

President Trump indicated that a multi-stage ceasefire would commence soon, starting with a 12-hour pause by Iran, followed by Israel’s response. A formal resolution is expected within the day, which bolstered global risk appetite. However, uncertainty lingers as Iran’s foreign ministry has not officially confirmed the ceasefire.

Key Market Movements:

• KOSPI: Surged by 2.5%, with Samsung Electronics gaining 3.5%.
• Hang Seng Index: Increased by 1.8%, recovering from previous losses.
• U.S. futures: Also saw gains during the Asian trading hours, reinforcing upward momentum.

Corporate Developments:

• Rio Tinto and Hancock Prospecting: Announced a $1.6 billion joint investment to expand an iron ore project in Western Australia, reflecting strong demand prospects from Asia.

Watch Out For:

• The potential ceasefire has alleviated geopolitical tensions in the market following U.S. strikes against Iranian nuclear sites and Iran’s retaliatory actions.
• Investors remain alert for confirmations from both Israel and Iran, which could solidify or negate Tuesday’s optimistic market trend.