Japan equity-index futures pointed lower while Hong Kong and Australia were little changed after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 rose more than 1%, with Middle East uncertainty and AI-driven tech momentum still in focus.
Asian markets were poised for a subdued start on Tuesday, with Japan equity-index futures signaling a decline and Hong Kong and Australia little changed as investors balanced a rebound in US stocks against uncertainty in the Middle East and questions over how much further the artificial intelligence-driven rally can run. Oil held Monday's losses. US equity contracts were steady after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 each rose more than 1% overnight on technology gains, while Palantir Technologies Inc. advanced in after-hours trading after lifting full-year revenue and income forecasts. Treasury yields also fell after last week's intense volatility. President Donald Trump said the US was talking with Iran, although Iran denied negotiations were ongoing, and he described the contacts as a "last chance before decapitation" in remarks to reporters in the Oval Office.