Asian Markets Rebound as Wall Street Gains and Oil Prices Moderate

Asian stock markets staged a broad rebound on Thursday, buoyed by overnight gains on Wall Street and a stabilization in oil prices following earlier volatility. Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index led the gains, surging over 4% at one point, marking its strongest performance since concerns over potential escalation in the Middle East sparked a sell-off. South Korea’s Kospi also experienced significant gains after recent losses.

Nikkei 225 Leads Regional Recovery

As of 3:45 PM JST, the Nikkei 225 Index was trading at 55,278.06, up 1,032.52 points (+1.90%). The index had earlier reached a high of 56,619.98, while the day’s low was 54,910.33. The 52-week range for the Nikkei 225 is 30,792.74 to 59,332.43, with the 52-week high reached on February 26, 2026, and the 52-week low on April 7, 2025. Source: CNBC

South Korea’s Kospi Recovers

South Korea’s Kospi also demonstrated strong recovery, following a period of volatility linked to geopolitical tensions. Recent performance has been marked by extremes; the Kospi saw its best day since 2008 with a 10% surge just 8 hours ago, following a prior 12% drop fueled by concerns over the Iran conflict. Source: CNBC

Global Market Context

The rebound in Asian markets follows a positive session on Wall Street. The recovery comes amid moderating oil prices, which had spiked earlier in the week due to escalating tensions in the Middle East. However, uncertainty remains regarding the potential for further escalation and its impact on global markets. Source: MarketWatch

Looking Ahead

While the recovery provides some relief, investors remain cautious. The situation in the Middle East continues to be a key risk factor, and further escalation could trigger renewed market volatility. Monitoring oil prices and geopolitical developments will be crucial in the coming days and weeks. Source: Trading Economics