Nikkei 225 Clears 62,000 for the First Time as Asia Markets Shrug Off Iran Threats
CNBC reported Thursday that the Nikkei 225 breached the 62,000 mark for the first time ever, capping a 5% single-session gain as traders across Asia chose diplomacy optimism over geopolitical fear. The Nikkei 225 record headlined a broad regional advance despite President Donald Trump renewing threats to escalate military strikes on Iran.
Nikkei 225 Record Driven by Tech and Materials
Japan’s benchmark index closed sharply higher, lifted by strength in technology, basic materials and financial shares. Index heavyweight SoftBank led the charge with a gain exceeding 13%. Electronics firm Ibiden was the session’s standout, climbing 17%, while metals and manufacturing company Mitsui Kinzoku added 16%. Renesas Electronics and chemicals group Tosoh Corporation each gained around 12% to 13%. Japan’s broader Topix index also advanced, rising roughly 2.4% on the day.
Rest of Asia Splits as Oil Edges Higher
Performance elsewhere in the region was more mixed. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose about 0.9%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index climbed nearly 1.5%. Mainland China’s CSI 300 added a modest 0.4%. South Korea bucked the trend, with the Kospi slipping 0.7% and the small-cap Kosdaq giving back a similar amount. Oil markets ticked upward alongside the geopolitical noise. West Texas Intermediate futures for June were near $95.95 per barrel, up roughly 0.9% on the session.
Background: Trump Threats Offset by Deal Signals
The session unfolded against a volatile diplomatic backdrop. Trump used his Truth Social platform to warn that U.S. military action under an operation he labeled “Operation Epic Fury” would intensify unless Tehran accepted terms already under negotiation. Yet he simultaneously signaled the offensive could be wound down if Iran complied, adding that a successful agreement would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping including Iranian vessels. Reports circulating Wednesday suggested Washington and Tehran were moving closer to a formal arrangement, and investors appeared to price in that outcome rather than an escalation.
Wall Street Had Already Set the Tone
U.S. equities provided the tailwind that fueled Thursday’s Asian rally. The S&P 500 gained 1.46% in Wednesday’s session, finishing at a new closing record above 7,365. The Nasdaq Composite surged more than 2%, settling at a fresh all-time high near 25,839. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added more than 600 points to approach 49,911. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq ended at record closes, giving Asia-Pacific traders a bullish baseline overnight. U.S. futures were little changed heading into Thursday’s American session, suggesting Wall Street may consolidate near those highs.
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