S&P 500 — US Large Cap Index
FTSE 100 — UK Blue Chips
Euro Stoxx 50 — Eurozone Leaders
DAX 40 — German Equities
CAC 40 — French Market Index
Nikkei 225 — Japan Benchmark
Hang Seng — Hong Kong Index
Shanghai Composite — China Mainland
ASX 200 — Australian Market
TSX Composite — Canada Index
Nifty 50 — India Large Cap
STI Index — Singapore Market
KOSPI — South Korea Index
Bovespa — Brazil Equities
JSE Top 40 — South Africa Index
IPC Index — Mexico MarketThe Nikkei 225 climbed 1.3% to close at 53,123, while the broader TOPIX rose 0.9% to 3,645 on Friday, trimming weekly losses to 0.4%, as sentiment improved on global efforts to restore Gulf oil shipments disrupted by the war in Iran. Multiple countries moved to revive flows through the Strait of Hormuz after US President Trump signaled a more aggressive stance, even as the conflict, ongoing since late February, continues to drive volatility in energy markets. Hopes of a partial reopening also helped ease crude prices in Tokyo, offering support to equities, particularly given Japan’s heavy reliance on imported energy. Improving sentiment around the Middle East, alongside optimism over AI-driven growth, lifted expectations of solid corporate performance in the upcoming earnings season. AI suppliers Furukawa Electric and Fujikura surged 10.4% and 7.5%, respectively, while Sakura Internet surged 20.2% to its daily limit after Microsoft announced a ¥1.6 trillion AI partnership in Japan.
