New Delhi, 10 April (H.S.):

Investor confidence surged across international bourses Friday, propelled by renewed momentum in West Asia peace negotiations between the United States, Israel, and Iran, fostering a risk-on environment that lifted U.S. indices in the prior session and ignited broad-based gains in Asia.

Wall Street concluded Thursday buoyed by the prospective truce, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average ascending 275.88 points or 0.58% to 48,185.80. The S&P 500 advanced 0.62% to 6,824.66, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 186.66 points or 0.82% to 22,821.66. Dow futures extended this positivity, trading marginally higher by 0.03% at 48,200.25.

European markets, however, faced headwinds, as the FTSE index dipped 0.05% to 10,603.48, the CAC 40 declined 0.22% to 8,245.80, and the DAX tumbled 273.64 points or 1.15% to 23,806.99, reflecting lingering caution amid mixed geopolitical cues.

Asia's response was unequivocally bullish, with all nine major indices in positive territory. Gift Nifty rose 105.50 points or 0.44% to 23,989.50, signaling strength ahead for Indian markets. Singapore's Straits Times gained 0.12% to 4,982.82, while Jakarta Composite surged 148.42 points or 2.03% to 7,456.01 and Kospi leaped 101.40 points or 1.75% to 5,879.41.

Japan's Nikkei vaulted 936.68 points or 1.68% to 56,832, Taiwan Weighted Index advanced 418.06 points or 1.20% to 35,279.22, SET Composite jumped 0.83% to 1,502.08, Hang Seng rose 211.60 points or 0.82% to 25,964, and Shanghai Composite firmed 0.63% to 3,991.14, underscoring regional enthusiasm for stabilizing energy supplies and reduced volatility.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar