Asia shares slide as geopolitical risks persist

June 26, 2025 (MLN): Asia-Pacific markets mostly declined on Thursday, as investors continued to weigh the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 1.04%, and the Topix added 0.32%.

In contrast, South Korea’s Kospi dropped 1.81%, while the small-cap Kosdaq retreated 2%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.21%.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index declined 0.72%, and the CSI 300 fell 0.31%.

U.S. futures were relatively unchanged. S&P 500 futures traded around the flatline, as did Nasdaq 100 futures and futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell maintained a cautious stance on inflation and tariffs during his second day of Capitol Hill testimony, indicating rate cuts could be considered if the effects prove temporary.

As he did during his testimony Tuesday before the House Financial Services Committee, Powell did not put a timetable on when further interest rate cuts might be possible, despite pressure from President Donald Trump.

Overnight in the U.S., the three major averages closed slightly higher, as CNBC reported.

The S&P 500 ended the session near the flatline at 6,092.16, as investors watched to see if the benchmark index could return to its all-time high.

The Nasdaq Composite added 0.31%, closing at 19,973.55, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 106.59 points, or 0.25%, settling at 42,982.43.

Copyright Mettis Link News