01 April 2026 — Today’s Market News — Apellis Explodes +135% on $5.6B Deal & UAE Signals Forceful Move to Reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Optimism returns to markets, yet oil and geopolitical risks continue to cloud the outlook
Asian equities rallied sharply after comments from U.S. President Donald Trump raised expectations that the Iran conflict could wind down within weeks, lifting risk appetite. The KOSPI surged 9%, while the NASDAQ rose 3.83%, reflecting strong demand for growth and technology stocks.
Today’s Snapshot
• KOSPI: 5,052.46 (+9%)
• Nikkei 225: 51,063.72 (-4.33%)
• NASDAQ COMPOSITE: 20,794.64 (+ 3.83%)
• Gold: $4,678.36/oz (+0.40%)
• Silver: $74.80/oz (+0.44%)
Global Markets
(A) Precious Metals
Gold: $4,678.36/oz (+0.40%)
Gold edged higher, supported by a weaker dollar, while easing geopolitical tensions and elevated interest rates capped further gains.
Silver: $74.80/oz (-0.2%)
Silver was little changed, as support from a weaker dollar and improved risk sentiment was offset by mild profit-taking after recent gains and uncertainty in industrial demand outlook.
(B) Energy
Brent Crude: $103.97 (+1.4%)
Brent crude rose as OPEC output dropped by 7.3 million barrels per day and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz tightened global supply, while President Trump’s indication that the U.S. could end the military campaign within weeks tempered further gains by raising hopes that the conflict may ease.
The United Arab Emirates may help the U.S. and its allies reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and could use force if needed, as per the Wall Street Journal.
(C) FX
Dollar Index (DXY): 99.71 (+0.41%)
The dollar stayed steady as hopes for a Middle East ceasefire improved, but mixed signals kept investors cautious.
(D) Stock Market — What Happened Today
U.S Equities
NASDAQ COMPOSITE: 20,794.64 (+ 3.83%)
The index rose as strong gains in technology and AI-related stocks lifted sentiment. Investor interest remained focused on growth and innovation, driving broad-based buying across the sector.
Major Movers:
Apellis Pharmaceuticals (+135%)
This multi-bagger stock surged after Biogen agreed to acquire the company for $5.6 billion, offering $41 per share in cash (~140% premium), with additional milestone payments of up to $4 per share tied to future drug sales.
The deal adds Apellis’ key drugs Empaveli and Syfovre, which generated ~$689 million in revenue in 2025 and are expected to grow at a mid-to-high teens rate. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to Biogen’s EPS from 2027.
Microsoft (+3.1%)
Gained after announcing a $1 billion investment in AI and cloud infrastructure in Thailand, reinforcing its global expansion strategy.
Meta Platforms (+6.7%)
Meta Platforms (+6.7%) — rose after launching new AI-powered products, including smart glasses and enhanced advertising tools, boosting expectations for future revenue growth.
South Korea
KOSPI: 5,052.46 (+9%)
The index jumped as strong export data and factory activity showed the economy is improving, which boosted investor confidence. Technology stocks led the gains, as investors bought shares after last month’s sharp fall.
Major Movers:
Samsung Electronics (+10% to +13%) — rose as chip demand stayed strong and investors bought after recent declines.
SK Hynix (+9% to +11%) — gained on better outlook for semiconductor demand.
Japan
Nikkei 225: 51,063.72 (-4.33%)
The index fell as higher oil prices and uncertainty from the Iran conflict hurt sentiment. Business confidence improved for the fourth straight quarter, with the index rising to +17, the highest level since December 2021, but companies remain cautious about rising costs and the outlook. The Nikkei briefly rose after President Trump said the war could end within weeks, but gains did not last as risks remained.
SoftBank (+5.88%) — gained after securing a $40 billion loan to fund its investment in OpenAI, highlighting its aggressive push into artificial intelligence infrastructure and long-term growth strategy.
Volatility & Positioning
VIX closed at 25.25, indicating elevated conditions, as geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices kept investors cautious.
What Traders Are Watching
- U.S. jobs data — A weaker labor report could revive rate-cut expectations, while a stronger print would keep the Fed cautious.
- Central bank pricing — Investors are watching whether softer yields and calmer risk sentiment are enough to shift Fed expectations after March’s oil-led inflation shock.
- Oil and USD/JPY — Brent staying above $100 and dollar-yen holding near intervention-sensitive levels remain the clearest cross-asset stress signals.
Yesterday’s Market News — 31 March 2026
Markets were mixed, with the FTSE 100 up 1.61% while the S&P 500 fell 1.7% and CAC 40 rose 0.68%, as Brent crude held near $107 (+1.65%) and gold gained 1.9%, reflecting inflation concerns.
Catch up on: Sysco Plunges -15% on $29B Shock Deal as Oil Climbs Amid Trump’s Potential Iran War Exit.
Sources
- Reuters — Commodities — Gold ticks up as dollar slips on Middle East de-escalation hopes
- Reuters — Energy — Brent crude extends gains after record monthly rise amid Middle East tensions
- Reuters — Currencies — Dollar steady as Middle East ceasefire hopes offset by uncertainty
- Reuters — Asia Markets — South Korea exports surge at fastest pace in decades, boosting stocks
- Reuters — Japan Economy — Sentiment improves among Japan’s big firms, Iran war clouds outlook
- Reuters — M&A — Biogen to buy Apellis Pharmaceuticals for $5.6 billion
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