Asian Markets Rally as Bank of Japan Ends Zero-Rate Era

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 briefly vaulted past the 70,000-point milestone, reaching an unprecedented high as investors recalibrated their portfolios to account for the central bank's tightening stance. This momentum contrasts with the cooling outlook in Hong Kong, where sluggish retail sales and lackluster fixed-asset investment data from China tempered market enthusiasm.

Global sentiment remains anchored by Wall Street's recent performance, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hitting record territory. Despite the upbeat mood in equity markets, currency and commodity desks are bracing for continued volatility as the durability of the U.S.-Iran diplomatic thaw remains the primary variable in long-term geopolitical stability.