Asian Stock Markets Uniformly Rise as Middle East Tensions Ease

Asian stock markets mostly strengthened during Tuesday morning’s trading, on 24 March 2026, amid easing market concerns over potential global energy shocks. According to TradingView data at 08:25 WIB, all five major monitored Asian indices were in positive territory. The largest gain was recorded by South Korea’s Kospi index, which rose 1.83% to 5,504.46. Following it was the Hang Seng Index (HSI), up 1.55% to 24,759.82, and Taiwan’s TSEC, which increased 1.53% to 33,184.56. Meanwhile, Japan’s Nikkei also moved positively with a 1.17% rise to 52,116.73. Malaysia’s FBM KLCI strengthened more modestly, by 0.38% to 1,727.32. The positive sentiment in Asian markets this morning stems from the waning investor worries about global energy supply disruptions. Markets responded to news that US President Donald Trump has postponed plans to bomb Iran’s power grid, thereby alleviating fears of a larger war escalation that could disrupt Middle Eastern energy supplies. Previously, global markets had been highly volatile at the start of the week. Trump extended the ultimatum deadline given last Saturday. Iran is now said to have an additional five days to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, citing productive talks with the Iranian side, although Tehran denies the claim. This policy shift was quickly responded to by market participants. Global oil prices continued to weaken, while stock markets strengthened. At the same time, the US dollar wavered, and government bond yields fell. Rajeev De Mello, Chief Investment Officer at GAMA Asset Management, quoted from Reuters, views this move as part of negotiation tactics. According to him, the US government also does not want oil prices to surge to US$150 per barrel, especially if triggered by their own policies. On the other hand, the Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) has not yet traded today as the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI) is still on holiday. Domestic stock trading will resume on Wednesday, 25 March 2026.