Asia stocks mixed on geopolitical tensions, Fed signals

June 25, 2025 (MLN): Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Wednesday as investors digested news of a potential ceasefire between Israel and Iran, alongside fresh commentary from U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

There is growing optimism that a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, will likely hold.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was flat.

South Korea’s Kospi climbed 0.31%, while the small-cap Kosdaq fell 0.21%.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 0.11%, while the Topix slid 0.13%.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index climbed 0.66%, and mainland China’s CSI 300 was flat.

U.S. futures remained near flat. Futures tied to the broad S&P 500 index ticked down 0.1%, as did Nasdaq 100 futures. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures lost 26 points, or 0.1%.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Tuesday the Fed was committed to keeping inflation in check and would likely keep rates steady until there’s more clarity on how tariffs might affect prices.

Powell noted policymakers were “well positioned to wait to learn more about the likely course of the economy before considering any adjustments to our policy stance.”

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

The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 507.24 points, or 1.19%, ending at 43,089.02.

The S&P 500 gained 1.11% to close at 6,092.18, now about 0.9% from its 52-week high.

The Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.43% to 19,912.53, while the Nasdaq 100 added 1.53% for a record close of 22,190.52.

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