Asia-Pacific markets extend recovery ahead of Trump Iran address

Asia-Pacific equity markets extended a recovery phase as investors positioned ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s scheduled address on Iran; the White House announced the speech for April 1, 2026 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time (EDT), which corresponds to April 2, 2026 9:00 a.m. in Singapore and Hong Kong.

The move higher was broad-based during regional trading, with major benchmarks in Hong Kong and parts of Southeast Asia posting mid-single-digit gains in some cases as buyers returned after recent sell-offs. Japan’s Nikkei also registered notable intraday strength, while MSCI’s Asia-Pacific gauges pared a portion of March losses as risk sentiment improved. Market flows reflected a rotation back into equities on hopes of de‑escalation.

Crude oil eased materially, with Brent settling nearer the $100-a-barrel level after recent spikes, reducing the immediate energy-related risk premium that had weighed on equities. The pullback in oil prices provided breathing room for cyclical and regional banks as well as industrial names that are sensitive to energy costs.

Despite the positive market reaction, uncertainty remains: Iranian officials have publicly questioned some of the diplomatic signals, and earlier instances of tentative market optimism were quickly reversed when talks failed to produce verifiable outcomes. Traders are therefore treating the address as a potential volatility trigger rather than a definitive turning point.

Analysts say the near-term trajectory will hinge on concrete details from the administration and responses from Tehran; research notes from regional strategists and groups such as Capital Economics highlight that while de-escalation hopes support risk assets, underlying geopolitical and supply risks could sustain episodic volatility. Market participants will closely watch follow-up diplomatic communications and energy market reaction in the hours and days after the address.