Global stock markets mixed as investors assess durability of U.S.-Iran peace deal

Global stock markets were mixed on Friday, with Asia-Pacific bourses largely closing lower, as investors assessed the durability of a U.S.-brokered peace agreement with Iran.

U.S. stock and bond markets are closed for the Juneteenth public holiday. Futures markets will continue to operate, but with limited hours, with equities trading halted at 1:00 p.m. E.T.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Thursday defended President Donald Trump’s interim agreement with Iran, saying any economic relief for Tehran would depend on the country complying with the terms of the deal.

“The United States isn’t giving up a cent of money to Iran,” Vance said. “The only way the Iranians get any of these resources ... is if they comply fully” with the terms of the deal.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, likewise described the agreement as conditional, saying on Thursday that he approved the memorandum only after receiving guarantees that Iran’s rights and the “resistance front” would be safeguarded.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 was choppy in Friday trade and was last seen 0.1% lower, with gains in energy and healthcare stocks limiting regional losses.

In the U.K., 10-year gilt yields rose more than 7 basis points to 4.8247% after official figures showed government borrowing reached the highest level for May since 2019, with a budget deficit of £23.3 billion ($30.8 billion).

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a looming leadership challenge from Labour Party rival Andy Burnham, who will return to the British parliament after a special election win on Thursday.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 0.28% to close at 71,250.06 after hitting a record high on Thursday, while the Topix lost 0.57% to end the trading day at 4,044.96.

South Korea’s Kospi dropped 0.13% to close at 9,052.42, pulling back after crossing the 9,000 mark for the first time Thursday, while the small-cap Kosdaq declined 3.43%.