Global Equity Markets Rally as Middle East Tensions Soften

Global Equity Markets Rally as Middle East Tensions Soften

Global equity markets rallied as easing Middle East tensions and a retreat in oil prices buoyed sentiment, with Wall Street leading gains overnight.

The S&P 500 closed up 0.81%, the NASDAQ advanced 1.03%, and the Dow Jones ended the session 0.73% higher, lifted by optimism over a potential US-Iran deal and robust tech earnings.

In Europe, the Euro Stoxx 50 closed 1.84% higher, benefitting from a pullback in energy prices and upbeat corporate results, while the FTSE 100 fell 1.40% as investors maintained a cautious stance amid ongoing lingering inflationary concerns and prospects for higher interest rates.

In Asia, the Hang Seng Index is currently up 0.79%, the Nikkei 225 is trading 0.38% higher, and the ASX 200 is climbing 1.04%, all supported by improved risk appetite and softer oil prices.

Local stocks closed higher on Tuesday, with the All Share and Top 40 advancing 0.31% each. Resources led the sectoral performance with a 0.73% rise. Industrials climbed 0.52%, but Financials slipped 0.23%, weighed down by a 0.20% decline in the Banks subsector.

The session’s standout performer was Anheuser-Busch InBev, which surged over 8% following robust first-quarter earnings results that drove much of the market’s positive momentum. Vodacom also rallied sharply, gaining 5.3% after projecting strong HEPS growth for FY26.

That said, despite the Iran-related uncertainty casting a shadow over global markets, domestic corporate fundamentals provided sufficient support to lift local equities. Jaiz Bank Falls Again as Concern over Earnings Delay Stokes Selloffs