Follow us
(Bloomberg) — Asian equities eased from all-time highs after conflicting signals from the US and Iran on prospects for a deal to end the war. Crude oil gained.
Most regional gauges were trading down, pushing MSCI’s Asia Pacific index 0.4% lower. Taiwanese stocks bucked the trend, gaining about 1%. Equity-index futures for Wall Street benchmarks swung between gains and losses in early Asian trading.
Brent crude climbed 2% to $96.15 a barrel as American forces carried out airstrikes on an Iranian military site, underscoring the elusiveness of any resolution to the war despite recent optimism. Authorities described the attack as defensive.
The dollar strengthened and Treasuries dropped as traders searched for clarity, following the White House’s dismissal of an Iranian media report suggesting peace negotiations were advancing toward ending the war. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield climbed two basis points to 4.50%. Bonds in Australia and New Zealand also declined.
