Asian markets surged on Thursday, fueled by rising optimism over a potential resolution to the U.S.-Iran conflict and strong demand in the tech sector driven by AI advancements. China’s GDP growth of 5% year-on-year in Q1 2026, surpassing expectations, contributed to a robust performance, with the Shanghai Composite Index climbing 0.70% to a four-week high. The Nikkei 225 also saw significant gains, closing up 2.38% at a record high, reflecting investor enthusiasm.
The positive sentiment rippled across the region, with the Hang Seng Index and Korea’s Kospi Index both posting notable increases. However, Australia’s S&P/ASX200 experienced a slight decline, highlighting ongoing inflation concerns. In the U.S., the tech-heavy Nasdaq and S&P 500 reached all-time highs, indicating a strong correlation between Asian market optimism and U.S. performance.
Market professionals should closely monitor geopolitical developments and their implications for tech stocks, as well as inflation trends that could influence regional market dynamics.
Source: nasdaq.com