📈 Global Markets: Asian Shares Mixed, Oil Eases on Trump's Iran Comments

Global markets showed mixed reactions on Tuesday as investors weighed U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pause a planned attack on Iran to allow for nuclear negotiations, temporarily easing energy supply fears. • Energy & Commodity Impact: Brent crude futures fell over 2% to US$ 109.41 a barrel, while U.S. crude dropped 1.3% to US$ 107.25 a barrel. Despite the dip, both benchmarks remain more than 50% above pre-war levels. Spot gold eased marginally to US$ 4,562.50 an ounce. • Equities & Regional Breakdown: • MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares (ex-Japan) fell 0.22%. • South Korea's Kospi dropped 2%, while Japan's Nikkei bucked the trend, rising 1%. • U.S. futures edged lower (Nasdaq down 0.07%, S&P 500 down 0.03%) ahead of highly anticipated Nvidia earnings. European futures (EUROSTOXX 50) rose 0.4%. • Bonds & Forex: The drop in oil prices halted a steep global bond selloff. Benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yields eased from a one-year high to 4.5974%, while the two-year yield dipped to 4.0564%. The US$ strengthened on safe-haven demand, rising 0.1% against the Japanese Yen to 159 yen, while the Euro and Sterling both shed 0.1%. _Note: Market sentiment remains cautious as G7 finance ministers flag concerns over public debt, volatility, and potential inflation-driven central bank rate hikes._