Asian stock markets are trading mostly lower on Friday, despite the broadly positive cues from Wall Street overnight, as traders remain cautiously optimistic on hopes for an end to hostilities in the Middle East. Concerns remain about the fragility of any settlement as Tehran seems to be adamant with their nuclear program. Asian markets ended mostly higher on Thursday.
US President Donald Trump said Tehran had agreed to terms including abandoning ambitions for a nuclear weapon, although Iranian officials have yet to verify these claims.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Market Analysis
April 17, 2026 15:29 ET The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to raise concerns for policymakers who worry about the impact of the supply shock and high energy prices on the real economy. Producer price data and various survey results on the housing market were the main news from the U.S. this week. In Europe, industrial production data for the euro area gained attention. GDP figures out of China and the policy move by the Singapore central bank were in focus in Asia.