Asian stock markets surged on Tuesday, led by South Korea's KOSPI and Hong Kong's Hang Seng, as investor sentiment improved sharply following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of a tentative ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

Trump stated that a multi-stage ceasefire—beginning with a 12-hour pause by Iran—would be initiated within hours, followed by Israel's participation. A formal end to hostilities was promised within 24 hours, boosting global risk appetite. However, Iran's foreign ministry has not officially confirmed a truce, injecting some uncertainty into the market rally.

Key Market Moves:

• KOSPI jumped 2.5%, with Samsung Electronics (KS:005930) gaining 3.5%

• Hang Seng Index rose 1.8%, rebounding from prior losses

• U.S. futures also traded higher in Asian hours, reinforcing the uptrend

Corporate Highlight:

• Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO) and Hancock Prospecting announced a $1.6 billion joint investment to expand an iron ore project in Western Australia, signaling strong long-term demand from Asia.

Investor Focus:

• The potential ceasefire eased geopolitical tensions that had rattled markets following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and Iran's missile retaliation targeting a U.S. base in Qatar.

• Traders are watching for official statements from Israel and Iran, which could cement or reverse Tuesday's rally.

Track Market Momentum:

For deeper insight into sector trends and stock performance across Asia, consider:

• Sector Historical (Market Overview): Review how Asian sectors performed over time in response to geopolitical shifts.

• Market Biggest Gainers: Monitor top-performing stocks across global markets during risk-on periods.