South Korea stocks lead gains in Asia as oil prices plunge after U.S.-Iran ceasefire deal

Asia-Pacific markets opened higher, with South Korean stocks leading regional gains, following a temporary U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement. President Donald Trump announced a two-week suspension of planned attacks on Iranian infrastructure, causing oil prices to plunge.

This de-escalation matters significantly to investors because falling oil prices alleviate global inflationary pressures and reduce input costs for businesses. Furthermore, the reduction in geopolitical risk typically drives capital away from safe-haven assets and back into equities, supporting broader economic stability.