Asia Stock Rally as Iran Optimism Builds

Business and finance news from the Asia-Pacific.

Asian equities climbed to a record, powered by a rally in Japanese stocks on their return from a break, as optimism grew that the US and Iran were nearing a deal to end the conflict that had rattled markets and clouded the economic outlook. Easing tensions in the Middle East have helped global equities erase war-driven losses and push to fresh highs, as falling oil prices eased inflation concerns and revived momentum in the artificial intelligence trade. For more on the outlook on oil, we spoke to Steven Stapczynski, Bloomberg's Asia Energy Team Leader.

Plus - The US and Iran were circling around a fresh proposal to end the war on Wednesday, as President Donald Trump searches for an exit from a conflict that has elevated energy prices and damaged his political standing. Washington has presented a one-page memorandum of understanding that would gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lift the American blockade on Iranian ports, according to a person familiar with the measure, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive information. Detailed negotiations over Iran's nuclear program would come later in the process, the person said, adding that nothing has yet been agreed upon. We heard from Barbara Leaf, Senior International Policy Advisor at Arnold and Porter speaking to Bloomberg's Haidi Stoud-Watts and Shery Ahn.

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