On January 11, 2024, the Nikkei Stock Average is displayed on a screen in the trading room of Nomura Securities’ headquarters in Tokyo.
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South Korean stocks rose on Monday, hitting a new record following a monthly high in April, as investors weighed tensions between Iran and the United States and plans to restart shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Sunday that the US will attempt to “free” ships stranded in the aftermath of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the Iran war.
The effort, dubbed “Project Freedom,” is scheduled to begin on Monday Middle Eastern time and will focus on getting civilian ships, primarily flagged by countries not involved in the conflict, out of the disputed waterway so they can “operate freely and competently.”
“U.S. military support for Project Freedom includes guided missile destroyers, more than 100 land- and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 military personnel,” U.S. Central Command said shortly after Trump’s announcement.
Oil prices fell following the announcement of “Project Freedom.” West Texas Intermediate futures for July were down 0.59% at $101.34 a barrel as of 7:38 p.m. ET. Brent crude oil futures fell 0.27% to $107.88 per barrel.
hong kong hansen index The index’s last close was 25,776.53, while the futures price was 25,992.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell slightly. Markets in Japan and China are closed for holidays.
