Bloomberg Daybreak Asia

Business and finance news from the Asia-Pacific. Asian equities climbed to a record, powered by a rally in Japanese stocks on their return from a break, as optimism grew that the US and Iran were nearing a deal to end the conflict that had rattled markets and clouded the economic outlook. Easing tensions in the Middle East have helped global equities erase war-driven losses and push to fresh highs, as falling oil prices eased inflation concerns and revived momentum in the artificial intelligence trade. For more on the outlook on oil, we spoke to Steven Stapczynski, Bloomberg's Asia Energy Team Leader. Plus - The US and Iran were circling around a fresh proposal to end the war on Wednesday, as President Donald Trump searches for an exit from a conflict that has elevated energy prices and damaged his political standing. Washington has presented a one-page memorandum of understanding that would gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lift the American blockade on Iranian ports, according to a person familiar with the measure, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive information. Detailed negotiations over Iran's nuclear program would come later in the process, the person said, adding that nothing has yet been agreed upon. We heard from Barbara Leaf, Senior International Policy Advisor at Arnold and Porter speaking to Bloomberg's Haidi Stoud-Watts and Shery Ahn.

Business and finance news from the Asia-Pacific. Stocks climbed to a record after President Donald Trump signaled progress toward a final agreement with Iran, adding fresh momentum to markets already buoyed by a rally in technology shares. Crude oil declined. We spoke to David Finnerty, Bloomberg's FX and Rate Strategist. President Donald Trump said he would pause a US-led effort to help stranded ships exit the Strait of Hormuz to see if an agreement with Iran to end the war could be reached. "Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed," Trump said in a social media post on Tuesday. A US blockade of ships transiting to and from Iranian ports would "remain in full force and effect" despite the pause in the US-led effort to help stranded ships. For more analysis on what is going on in the war in Iran, we heard from Kirsten Fontenrose, Strategic Advisor at Systems Planning and Analysis. She spoke to Bloomberg's Shery Ahn and Haidi Stroud-Watts.

Business and finance news from the Asia-Pacific. Crude oil held its gains as the US and Iran exchanged fire, jolting a four-week-old ceasefire and raising concerns that Middle East tensions could escalate again. Brent edged 0.5% lower to just under $114 a barrel at the open Tuesday as escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz raised fears about high energy prices and global inflation. Australian shares opened lower, with markets closed in Japan, South Korea and mainland China. US equity-index futures were little changed after the S&P 500 Index retreated from its record on Monday. We spoke to Paul Dobson, Bloomberg's Executive Editor for Asia Markets And for more on the markets, we heard from Kyle Rodda, Senior Market Analyst at Capital.com speaking to Bloomberg TV hosts Paul Allen and Shery Ahn.

Business and finance news from the Asia-Pacific. Markets opened on an optimistic note after President Donald Trump said the US will begin guiding ships not involved in the Iran conflict through the Strait of Hormuz from Monday. However, a senior Iranian official warned that Tehran would consider any US interference in the Strait a ceasefire breach, according to an AFP report. For more on the markets, we heard from Dilin Wu, Pepperstone Research Strategist speaking to Bloomberg's Haidi Stroud-Watts and Shery Ahn. Plus -  Japan's prime minister is visiting Australia to strengthen ties with one of her country's strongest allies as she seeks to build on an updated regional strategy laid out in Vietnam. Sanae Takaichi touched down late Sunday local time in Canberra for the three-day visit, which will focus on defense, critical minerals and broader economic security. The two countries have grown increasingly concerned about the changing security and economic environment in the region, with Japan taking a more assertive military stance and looking to build economic ties and stable supply chains with nations such as Vietnam. We heard from Tobias Harris, Japan Foresight Founder and Principal speaking to Bloomberg's Haidi Stroud-Watts and Shery Ahn.

US equity futures rose, reversing earlier declines, helped along by late-market gains in Alphabet Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. Meanwhile, Meta Platforms Inc. shares slid in post-market trading alongside Microsoft Corp., keeping alive lingering concerns over artificial intelligence spending. We heard from Maribel Lopez, Lopez Research Founder and Principal Analyst. She spoke to Bloomberg's Shery Ahn and Haidi Stroud-Watts. Plus - Federal Reserve officials left interest rates unchanged, but revealed a deepening division over the outlook for policy amid increased uncertainty caused by the conflict in the Middle East. Four officials voted against the decision, including three who objected to language in their post-meeting statement that suggested the central bank would eventually resume cutting rates. In what will be his last press conference as Fed chair, Jerome Powell said he intends to remain at the central bank as a member of its Board of Governors. We heard from Jeanette Garretty, Robertson Stephens Chief Economist. She spoke to Bloomberg's Haidi Stroud-Watts and Shery Ahn.