Asia-Pacific markets surge despite U.S.-Iran diplomatic collapse. Japan's Nikkei 225 hit a record high, climbing 1.38% to 60,537.36, while South Korea's Kospi jumped 2.15% to 6,615.03, also reaching new peaks. China's industrial profits accelerated 15.8% year-over-year in March, providing support for regional sentiment. However, geopolitical tensions kept oil elevated, with Brent crude rising over 2% to $107.49 per barrel and U.S. crude gaining 1.79% to $96.19 as the Strait of Hormuz remained a flashpoint. The collapse of U.S.-Iran peace negotiations and Iran's boarding of cargo ships near the strategic waterway intensified Middle East concerns. U.S. futures showed weakness, with Dow futures down 0.2%, S&P 500 futures declining 0.3%, and Nasdaq 100 futures slipping 0.3%, following Friday's record closes on Wall Street.
