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Asian shares rallied to record levels as the US-Iran peace deal improved risk sentiment and pushed oil prices lower, while investors assessed the Fed’s policy outlook.
Asian stock markets climbed to record highs on Thursday after the US and Iran signed an interim peace deal, boosting investor confidence and easing concerns over global energy supplies.
Japan’s Nikkei closed above 71,000 for the first time, while South Korea’s Kospi surged past 9,000, supported by strong gains in AI and semiconductor stocks. Taiwan also advanced, while markets in Hong Kong and China lagged behind.
Meanwhile, oil prices continued to fall on expectations that Iranian crude exports will return to global markets. Brent crude slipped below $78 a barrel, while US crude traded near $74. Investors also digested the Federal Reserve’s latest policy decision, with the central bank keeping rates unchanged but signaling that a rate hike later this year remains possible.
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Markets, Oil, and AI Stocks Diverge as Investors Track Iran Talks and Valuation RisksFalling oil prices, progress in US-Iran talks, and continued AI optimism supported global markets, while concerns over high stock valuations raised questions about the sustainability of the rally.Editorial Note
This article aggregates publicly available market and broker updates from the source CMS. Verify time-sensitive data directly with official sources before making decisions.
Last update: Jun 18, 2026
