Japan: Shares Rally on Two-Week Ceasefire.

The Nikkei 225 Index surged 5.39% to close at 56,308, while the broader Topix jumped 3.32% to 3,775 on Wednesday, with both benchmarks hitting over one-month highs after the US, Iran and Israel agreed to a two-week ceasefire to allow negotiations for a potential deal to end the war. President Donald Trump delayed planned strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure in what he called a “double-sided ceasefire,” while Iran agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks, stipulating that transit be coordinated with Iran’s Armed Forces. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is seeking separate talks with US and Iranian leaders amid efforts to secure peace and Japan’s energy supplies. Tech stocks led the advance as risk appetite returned, with strong gains from Kioxia Holdings (18.6%), Advantest (13.6%), Fujikura (11.6%), Disco Corp (7.3%) and SoftBank Group (7.2%). Power companies, banks and carmakers also rallied.