Most Asian stocks firmed on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump postponed a decision on U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran war by two weeks, offering markets some near-term relief.
But Japanese shares lagged after hot consumer inflation data and hawkish Bank of Japan comments ramped up expectations that the central bank will hike interest rates further in the coming months.
Regional markets took few trading cues from Wall Street, which was closed on Thursday. S&P 500 Futures fell 0.3% in Asian trade, remaining negative despite Trump’s statement on Iran.
U.S. stock markets were still reeling from hawkish comments from the Federal Reserve, as Chair Jerome Powell remained non-committed to future rate cuts and even trimmed the central bank’s rate cut outlook for 2026.
