On Friday, Asia-Pacific markets opened higher, with Japan's Nikkei 225 rising 1.36% and South Korea's Kospi up 0.52%. Investors are closely monitoring U.S.-Iran negotiations, especially as oil prices fell in U.S. trading amid hopes for a peace agreement.
However, reports indicate that Iran plans to retain its enriched uranium stockpile, which could complicate discussions with the U.S., where President Donald Trump aims to dismantle Iran's nuclear program. Additionally, Japan's core inflation eased to 1.4% in April, below the expected 1.7%, which may reduce the likelihood of an early rate hike by the Bank of Japan.
The positive sentiment in Asia follows a record close on Wall Street, where the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 276.31 points to a new high of 50,285.66