US Stock Futures Rise on Gains in Oil Pares and Iran - Asia Market Wrap

US equity futures advanced after reports suggested the US and Iran were stepping back from further military escalation, easing concerns over the fragile ceasefire supporting ongoing peace negotiations.

S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.6%, although both pared earlier gains after a report that Washington and Tehran had agreed to halt further strikes and meet in Qatar later this week to resume talks over the Strait of Hormuz and broader efforts to end the conflict.

European equity futures also pointed to a modestly higher open.

Asian equities were little changed as investors rotated out of heavyweight Tech names.

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix weighed on the regional benchmark, though eight of the MSCI Asia Pacific Index's 11 sectors still finished higher, highlighting broader underlying strength.

Brent crude remained volatile, easing from session highs but still trading around 0.6% higher near $72.40 a barrel.

The recent flare-up in the Middle East saw Iran strike a container ship, a Qatari oil tanker, and military installations in Kuwait and Bahrain before multiple US retaliatory strikes.

Optimism surrounding renewed diplomatic talks helped limit further gains in oil.

Attention in Asia is centred on South Korea, where Samsung Electronics and SK Group are expected to unveil major investment plans alongside new government policy initiatives.

According to local media, the combined investments could exceed $1.3 trillion over the next decade, potentially providing a significant boost to the country's semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors.