Asian and European stock markets open higher after announcement of possible agreement between the US and Iran

Foreign exchange traders watch monitors in the foreign currency trading room at Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea.
Ahn Young-joon / AP
Global stocks soared on Monday (15) after the announcement of a preliminary agreement to end the war with Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The news brought relief to financial markets, which had been operating under severe instability since the start of the conflict at the end of February. In addition to the rally in the indices, oil prices registered a sharp drop.
In Asia, stock markets closed at robust levels. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index jumped 5% and reached an all-time high of 69,317.50 points, driven mainly by the technology and artificial intelligence sector. In South Korea, the Kospi advanced 5.2%, while the Shanghai Composite index, in China, rose 1.6%.
Optimism contaminated the opening of business in Europe. In the first negotiations of the day, Germany's DAX advanced 1.7%, operating at around 25,066 points, a level similar to that of the CAC 40, in Paris, which also added 1.7%. In London, the FTSE 100 rose 0.8%. New York futures indexes signal an equally positive opening for Wall Street, with the S&P 500 up 1.2%.
Oil falling and caution on the horizon
As an immediate reflection of the diplomatic nod, the price of Brent oil, the international benchmark, fell US$4.08, quoted at US$83.25 per barrel. US benchmark oil (WTI) dropped US$4.51, trading at US$80.37 per barrel.
Vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Musandam province, Oman, April 12, 2026.
Reuters
Despite the immediate relief, analysts warn that the complete stabilization of fuel and maritime freight prices could take months, as shipping companies and insurance companies await guarantees that the pact will be fulfilled.
US President Donald Trump confirmed the initial understanding and authorized the end of the naval blockade of Iranian ports. Iran also confirmed the advance, but signaled that implementation depends on the formal signing of the text, scheduled to take place next Friday, in Switzerland.
See the performance of the main Asian exchanges:
Hang Seng, from Hong Kong, rose 0.6%
Nikkei 225, from Japan, rose 5%
Kospi, from South Korea, rose 5.2%
Sensex, from India, rose 1.2%
Taiex, from Taiwan, rose 2.8%
See the performance of the main exchanges in Europe:
the DAX, from Germany, rose 1.7%
the CAC 40, from France, rose 1.7%
the FTSE 100, from the United Kingdom, rose 0.8%
The CAC 40, from France, rose 1.7%
*With information from AP.

Source: G1