Oil's pullback eased market stress and lifted Asian equity sentiment Wednesday
as investors weigh new developments in the Middle East and the stalled U.S.-Iran
standoff. Index futures point to gains in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan;
Australia flat. U.S. futures were slightly higher after major indices closed
near flat; U.S. semiconductor stocks rallied, and Donald Trump's opposition to
AI regulation may support AI-themed names in Asia. Markets are watching whether
ceasefire talks advance after mixed signals from both sides. BMO Capital
Markets' Ian Lyngen said: "The Middle East conflict and its impact on future
inflation remain the dominant macro narrative and could dominate U.S. rate moves
for the foreseeable future."
