Asia markets show mixed trend on global uncertainty

April 24, 2026 (MLN): Asia markets opened on a mixed note on Friday, as investors adopted a cautious stance despite a temporary easing in geopolitical tensions following the extension of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire.

According to a declaration by Donald Trump, Israel and Lebanon have agreed to prolong their ceasefire by an additional three weeks after high-level discussions held at the White House, according to CNBC.

The extension of the truce, initially set to expire after 10 days, aims to provide more room for diplomatic engagement. Washington has also committed to supporting Lebanon in enhancing its defense capabilities against Hezbollah.

Despite this development, investor sentiment remained fragile due to ongoing concerns surrounding broader Middle East tensions, particularly the Iran conflict, which continues to influence global energy markets.

U.S. oil futures climbed approximately 1.23%, hovering near $97 per barrel, showing persistent supply-side worries.

In Japan, equities showed resilience, with the Nikkei 225 advancing 0.71% and the TOPIX gaining 0.30%.

The uptick came as fresh data revealed that Japan’s core inflation accelerated to 1.8% in March, marking its first increase in five months and aligning with market expectations.

The rise in inflation, partly driven by energy price pressures linked to geopolitical risks, added to market momentum.

Elsewhere in the region, performance remained mixed. South Korea’s KOSPI slipped 0.23%, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ edged up 1%.

In Greater China, the Hang Seng Index declined 0.61%, and mainland China’s CSI 300 Index fell 0.28%. Meanwhile, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dipped 0.29% in early trading.

Overnight on Wall Street, U.S. equities ended lower, pressured by rising oil prices and a sell-off in technology stocks. The S&P 500 fell 0.41% to close at 7,108.40 after briefly touching a record intraday high.

The Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.89% to 24,438.50, also retreating from earlier session highs. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 179.71 points, or 0.36%, to settle at 49,310.32.

Overall, while the ceasefire extension provided temporary relief, markets remained on edge as geopolitical risks and elevated energy prices continued to shape investor outlook across global financial markets.

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