News

Asian shares gain, oil declines on hopes of Iran-US talksJapanese, South Korean and Australian gauges advanced during the open, resulting in the broader MSCI Asia Pacific Index increasing 0.3%.By CNBC-TV18 April 21, 2026, 6:38:25 AM IST (Published)3 Min ReadAsian shares edged higher after signs of Iran likely joining talks with the US resulted in cautious optimism regarding the progress in West Asia ahead of the looming ceasefire deadline. Oil prices declined.

Japanese, South Korean and Australian gauges advanced during the open, resulting in the broader MSCI Asia Pacific Index increasing 0.3%.

S&P 500 contracts edged higher as well in early trade after the index fell 0.2% on Monday from a record.

Global crude benchmark Brent fell 0.7% to $94.80 a barrel early Tuesday, after gaining 5.6% in the prior session. The dollar and Treasuries were steady.

US President Donald Trump said he is unlikely to extend the truce with Iran if no agreement is reached before its expiry Wednesday evening, Washington time. Iran is also preparing to send a delegation to the next round of talks, according to people familiar with the plans who declined to be identified.

Attention is shifting to whether the US and Iran can resume negotiations in Pakistan to calm strains and reopen the Strait of Hormuz after an initial round in Islamabad ended without a deal. The dollar has weakened over the past three weeks and several equity gauges have recouped war-related losses as markets price in easing tensions, cheaper oil and stronger economic growth.

Chip stocks in Asia will be in focus after the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index advanced, notching a 14th straight session in the green — a winning streak that it has exceeded just once, in 2014.

Transits through Hormuz have reduced to a trickle as Iran tightens control in retaliation for strikes. On Friday, that paralysis appeared to end, with Tehran saying it would reopen the waterway, before reversing course during the weekend as the US maintained a naval blockade and attacked an Iranian ship.

Beyond the strait, arguably the most fraught issue is Iran’s nuclear program. Trump has demanded Iran forswear any ambitions for a nuclear weapon and hand over stockpiles of enriched uranium. Tehran has balked at giving up its uranium and has said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

This week’s marquee economic report is also due Tuesday. Analysts project a jump in overall retail sales for March. Excluding gasoline and autos, the data could signal more tepid demand as high fuel costs prompted budget-constrained consumers to squeeze spending on other things.

While investors remain focused on developments in the Middle East, attention may also turn to Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Reserve. Warsh is scheduled to testify before the Senate Banking Committee at 10am Tuesday.

With inputs from BloombergAlso Read: Trade Setup for April 21: Nifty bulls aim to break 24,500 hurdle as supply emerges at higher levelsContinue ReadingTagsasian marketsglobal marketsStock market