[MARKET ANALYSIS] Asia-Pac stocks rally after President Trump said the war could end very soon

APAC Stocks: Positive

• Asia-Pac stocks rally with global risk sentiment underpinned after oil prices pressures eased on the potential G7 joint release of emergency reserves, and with relief seen after US President Trump said the war in Iran could end very soon.

ASX 200: +1.2%

• Rallied with gains led by outperformance in miners, materials, tech and healthcare, while there was little reaction seen to the improved consumer sentiment and mixed business surveys.

Nikkei 225: +3.2%

• Climbed back above the 54,000 level amid softer yields and as exporters cheered the pullback in energy prices. There were also several data releases, including the final Q4 GDP, which either matched the preliminary numbers or were revised upwards, although Household Spending disappointed.

Hang Seng & Shanghai Comp: Hang Seng +1.5% / Shanghai Comp +1.6%

• Chinese markets are in the green, although the mainland bourse lags behind its regional peers after reports that the US and China clashed over fentanyl and tariffs at a global drugs meeting, while the Trump administration told Beijing it expects to reimpose the fentanyl-related levy ⁠under a different law. 

US Equity Futures: Lower

• US index futures take a breather overnight after rebounding yesterday amid a relief rally.

European Equity Futures +1.0%

• Indicate a higher cash market open with Euro Stoxx 50 futures up 1.0% after the cash market closed with losses of 0.6% on Monday.

Asia-Pacific stocks are rallying on optimism stemming from President Trump's remarks about a potential swift end to the war in Iran, which has boosted global risk sentiment. This momentum is further supported by easing oil prices and a coordinated effort from the G7 to consider a joint release of emergency reserves. The implications for markets are significant, as a resolution could reduce geopolitical risk and support equities while impacting energy prices and currencies across the region.