Asian stocks were steady and oil prices dipped on Thursday as investors assessed progress toward ending the war in the Middle East after the presidents of the U.S. and Iran signed an interim peace deal.

The agreement extends a ceasefire announced in April by another 60 days to allow the two sides to negotiate a final truce. U.S. President Donald Trump, however, threatened to resume attacks and kill Iranian officials if they failed to honour their commitments.

Market Reaction

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was flat. Japan’s Nikkei share average rallied to another record high, surging past the 71,000 level for the first time, on solid gains in semiconductor and AI-related shares, while South Korean shares gained 0.9%.

Oil prices fell, with U.S. crude dipping 1.25% to $75.83 a barrel and Brent crude down 1.4% to $78.41 per barrel. The yield on benchmark 10-year Treasury notes rose to 4.471% compared with its U.S. close of 4.463% on Wednesday.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.