Asia-Pacific Markets Navigate Middle East Uncertainty. Trump extended the U.S. ceasefire with Iran, but negotiations remain stalled as Tehran declined to attend talks. Japan's Nikkei 225 reached record highs, rising 0.4% after exports climbed for a seventh consecutive month. South Korea's Kospi gained 0.46% while China's CSI 300 advanced 0.66%. Oil prices showed mixed signals with West Texas Intermediate falling 0.67% to $89.07 per barrel and Brent crude declining 0.48%. SoftBank Group shares surged up to 10% following leadership changes at its Arm Holdings subsidiary. The broader market sentiment reflects investor caution as geopolitical tensions persist and traders assess potential economic impacts from ongoing Middle East developments and their effects on energy markets and global trade flows.
