Global Market Movements: Stocks Rise Amid U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes

World stocks inch up as oil prices decline and traders await confirmation of a U.S.-Iran ceasefire. Chipmaker gains boost Asian markets, while European stocks and global bond yields see modest changes. Geopolitical tensions continue amid Russia-Ukraine conflict, impacting market sentiments and currency fluctuations.

Devdiscourse News Desk | * Global Stocks Hit Fresh Record High * Sources Say Hormuz Deal Waits On Trump Approval* French Inflation Surges; Japan Data Supports Rate Hike Bets (Updates Throughout After European Markets Open) By Iain Withers And Tom Westbrooklondon/Singapore | Updated: 29-05-2026 15:11 IST | Created: 29-05-2026 15:11 IST

Global Market Movements: Stocks Rise Amid U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes — This image is AI-generated and does not depict any real-life event or location. It is a fictional representation created for illustrative purposes only.

World stocks edged higher on Friday as oil prices slid, with investors keenly awaiting further developments on a potential U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Sources indicated an agreement may be close, but official confirmations are pending from both nations.

Chipmakers led gains, driving MSCI's world stocks index up 0.4% to a new high. Optimism surrounding artificial intelligence buoyed markets, with notable upticks in Tokyo and Seoul following an upgraded forecast from Dell.

Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions persist. Amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a drone incident injured two in Romania, adding to market uncertainties. Currencies saw fluctuations with the yen under pressure and the New Zealand dollar climbing on hawkish economic signals.