Asia-Pacific Markets Rally as Investors Await Trump's Iran Address

Asia-Pacific markets extended their recovery on Thursday, following similar gains on Wall Street, as investors braced for U.S. President Donald Trump's address on the Iran war. The speech, set for 9 p.m. Eastern Time (9 a.m. Singapore/Hong Kong time), has sparked speculation about a potential shift in U.S. policy toward the region. Earlier in the day, Trump claimed on Truth Social that Iran's 'New Regime President' had sought a ceasefire, a claim Tehran has denied. Trump emphasized that the U.S. would consider the offer only if the Strait of Hormuz was 'open, free, and clear.' The Nikkei 225 in Japan rose 0.78%, while the broader Topix index gained 1.01%. South Korea's Kospi climbed 1.33%, and the Kosdaq index rose 1.14%. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 started the day with a 0.45% increase, continuing a three-day winning streak. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index futures edged higher to 25,301, slightly above the HSI's last close of 25,294.03. U.S. stock futures remained near the flatline, with S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 futures slightly in the green, while Dow futures rose 13 points, or 0.03%. Overnight, U.S. markets saw modest gains, with the S&P 500 up 0.72% and the Nasdaq Composite rising 1.16%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.48%. The market's cautious optimism reflects hopes that Trump may seek a resolution to the conflict, though uncertainty remains high. Energy and defense sectors are particularly sensitive to developments, as the Strait of Hormuz's status directly impacts global oil flows and military operations.