Most emerging Asian equities were slightly higher on Tuesday as uncertainties surrounding a potential end to the Middle East conflict kept investors on the sidelines, while currencies held ground against a steady greenback.
MSCI's broad index of ASEAN equities slightly ticked up 0.1%, while the EM Asia gauge, which includes South Korea and Taiwan, edged 0.8% lower.
Markets remain on tenterhooks as contradictory statements on negotiations from Washington and Tehran left the possibility of diplomatic solutions to the five-month-old U.S.-Iran war doubtful.
However, the lack of a clear direction helped oil prices rebound slightly from a 7% drop on Monday as persistent concerns about Middle Eastern supply risks remain.
"It looks like the (Asian) markets are running into a bit of a technical resistance. At the same time, they are also digesting a mixed picture on the Middle East situation, because the U.S. has floated a rather optimistic tone on talks as well as potential reopening of the Strait (of Hormuz)," said Fabien Yip, a market analyst at IG International.
"With what was seen in the past few months, where the situation can move very quickly from a positive-to-negative or from a negative-to-positive stance, traders are a bit reluctant to fully price out that risk premium."
Indonesian stocks rose 0.7% to hit a two-week high, and shares in Singapore gained 0.3%. On the other hand, stock markets in the Philippines and Taiwan fell 0.4% and 0.5%, respectively.
South Korea's benchmark KOSPI declined as much as 2.8% as recurring AI anxieties and the threat of an interest rate hike overshadowed cooling inflation data.
On the forex front, the MSCI gauge of emerging market currencies was up marginally in Asia trading hours. The Indonesian rupiah slipped below the key 18,000-mark.
Pressure on emerging Asia's worst-performing currency remains, with the index marking an annual loss of nearly 8% so far.
The Philippine peso and Thai baht fell slightly by 0.3% and 0.1%, respectively, while other currencies in the region were little changed.
The yen held on to most of its intervention-driven gains on Tuesday after last week's joint action by Tokyo and Washington to prop up the currency, slightly depreciating 0.1% to 157.35 in early Asia trade.
HIGHLIGHTS:
** Japan may have intervened in FX market by spending as much as $36.58 billion to buy yen
** Bank Indonesia's policy mix aims to maintain rupiah, anchor inflation and support GDP, acting governor said
** Key party in Malaysia's ruling bloc to review role in government on August 16
** Shein seeks $30-$40 billion valuation for August Hong Kong IPO, sources say - Reuters
