Asian stock markets are trading mostly lower on Friday, following the broadly negative cues from Wall Street overnight, amid the raging war in the Middle East as Iran toughens its stand. The resultant spike in energy stocks amid surging in crude oil prices is helping limit the losses in the markets in the region. Asian markets ended mostly lower on Thursday.
The new leadership in Iran refused to bow down to U.S. pressure and instead vowed revenge, threatening U.S. allies, and resolving to ramp up attacks. Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed to avenge those killed in Iran's war against the U.S.-Israeli joint forces and also said the Strait of Hormuz must remain closed as a "tool to pressure the enemy."
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Market Analysis
June 19, 2026 16:46 ET Major central banks continued to dominate the economic news flow this week too, led by the Federal Reserve, as they announced their latest policy decisions. The Federal Reserve policy session was in focus as it was the first to be led by the new chief Kevin Warsh. In Europe, central banks of the U.K. and Switzerland announced their rate decisions. In Asia, the Bank of Japan drew attention for its policy moves, while data out of China threw some light on the state of the economy.