Asian financial markets on April 23, 2026 navigated a charged macro environment: oil extended its Iran war-driven rally as Strait of Hormuz ship transits fell to a record-low 1 per day, Japan’s Finance Minister issued a rare around-the-clock FX warning, and Intel’s blockbuster AI earnings forecast — released after the US market close — sent … Read more
The Nasdaq hit a new all-time high and the S&P 500 set a fresh closing record on April 22, 2026, driven by AI earnings beats from GE Vernova and Tesla. European shares fell for a third day as Iran seized ships in the Strait of Hormuz and Germany halved its growth forecast.
On April 22, Asian markets navigated a session defined by a single persistent variable: the US-Iran standoff. President Trump indefinitely extended his ceasefire with Tehran — but kept the Strait of Hormuz naval blockade firmly in place. Peace talks scheduled for Islamabad never happened. Brent crude briefly crossed $100 a barrel. And investors from Seoul … Read more
Global stocks retreated on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, as investors weighed an expiring US–Iran ceasefire deadline against a solid early-earnings season. The S&P 500 slipped 0.63%, European benchmarks lost between 0.6% and 1.1%, and oil held near $100 per barrel — making energy the only sector to finish the day in the green. After the … Read more
South Korea’s KOSPI smashed through its all-time record on Tuesday, surging 2.72% to close at 6,388.47 — a fresh 52-week and all-time high. The driver was unmistakable: a roaring AI-linked semiconductor rally fueled by SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics, layered on top of easing Mideast tensions and South Korean chip exports hitting their own record. … Read more
US and European equities pulled back on April 21 as a weekend escalation in the Gulf of Oman revived fears of a full resumption of hostilities between the US and Iran — just days before the fragile ceasefire is set to expire. A landmark leadership transition at Apple added a layer of corporate drama to … Read more
Asian equities edged higher on Monday as Wall Street’s record-setting rally on Friday provided a floor of support, but gains were capped as investors awaited concrete progress in U.S.-Iran negotiations. The ceasefire deadline is fast approaching with no deal in sight, and uncertainty over whether the Strait of Hormuz is truly open kept risk appetite … Read more
From haute horlogerie in Geneva to a megayacht christened on the Dutch coast, here are seven stories shaping the world of luxury, design, and culture this week. 🕰️ Luxury — Watches and Wonders 2026 Stuns Geneva Source: Robb Report Photo: Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026 Watches and Wonders 2026 delivered one of the most exciting … Read more
The S&P 500 closed above 7,100 for the first time on Friday, while the Nasdaq Composite extended its longest winning streak since 1992, after Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial shipping. WTI crude plunged 12% in response — but confusion quickly emerged over whether the critical waterway is actually open for transit. … Read more
Asia Stocks Pull Back on Profit-Taking; BOJ Governor Dashes Rate Hike Bets Asian equities retreated on Friday as investors locked in gains from a blistering April rally, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 suffering the steepest fall after BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda steered clear of signalling an April rate hike. Despite the pullback, MSCI’s broadest index of … Read more