News from Trump on Iran, Asian Markets Open Higher

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Asia-Pacific markets opened higher on Wednesday, with comments from US President Donald Trump pointing to potential talks with Iran boosting positive market sentiment, although Tehran has denied any direct negotiations with Washington.

Speaking in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump stated that the US and Iran “are in negotiations right now” and hinted that Tehran wants to reach a peace agreement, adding that he has withdrawn threats to target Iran’s energy infrastructure “based on the fact that we are negotiating.”

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index rose more than 1.4% in early trading.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index climbed 2.5%, while the Topix added 2.4%. South Korea’s Kospi index surged 2.5%, while the Kosdaq index for small companies rose 1.6%.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng futures index was at 24,972, higher than the previous close of 25,063.71.

Oil prices fell in early Asian trading hours. West Texas Intermediate crude futures dropped 3.92% to $88.73 per barrel.

US stock futures rose on Tuesday evening in the United States, with S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq 100 futures each up 0.7% and 0.8%. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 318 points, or 0.7%.

Futures were higher after the S&P 500 experienced a decline, recouping some of the sharp gains seen in the previous session, as crude oil prices rose again while the Iran war continues into its fourth week.

The broad market index lost 0.37% and ended at 6,556.37, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 84.41 points, or 0.18%, and settled at 46,124.06. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.84% and closed at 21,761.89.