US-Iran Ceasefire Agreement Boosts Asian Stock Markets

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Asian-Pacific stock markets strengthened on Wednesday (8/4/2026) after US President Donald Trump stated that an agreement had been reached to suspend plans for attacks on Iranian infrastructure for two weeks. The decision was made on the condition that Iran agrees to the full, immediate, and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to CNBC, in his statement on Truth Social, Trump emphasised that the agreement depends on Iran’s commitment to opening this vital route. He described the move as an effort to ease geopolitical tensions that had previously triggered global market concerns.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated via a post on platform X that Iran’s armed forces would halt their defensive operations. He also added that a safe route through the Strait of Hormuz could be coordinated with the Iranian military over the next two weeks.

In response to the news, US West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices plunged more than 16% to $94.23 per barrel. This sharp decline reflects the easing of concerns over global energy supply disruptions.

Significant gains occurred in Asian markets, with South Korea’s Kospi index surging 5.3% and Kosdaq rising 3.4%. Leading stocks such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix jumped 7.25% and 9.2%, respectively.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index strengthened 4.5% while the Topix rose 3.2%. Meanwhile, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index also climbed 2.7%, reflecting widespread positive sentiment in the region.

Hong Kong markets are also expected to strengthen after the holiday, with Hang Seng futures at 25,233 compared to the previous close of 25,116.53. This indicates investor optimism regarding short-term geopolitical stability.

Thornburg Investments portfolio manager Josh Rubin stated that the decline in energy prices could pressure global inflation. This situation is seen as opening opportunities for central banks to consider easing interest rate policies.

In the United States, major index futures also strengthened, with the Dow Jones up 1.5%, S&P 500 adding 1.6%, and Nasdaq 100 gaining 1.7%. This positive sentiment aligns with the easing of geopolitical tensions and falling energy prices.

In the previous session, the S&P 500 rose slightly 0.08% to 6,616.85, and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.10% to 22,017.85. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.18%, or 85.42 points, to 46,584.46.