Japan’s Nikkei 225 breaks 70,000 for the first time, topping 70,020.68 intraday

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index crossed 70,000 for the first time, briefly reaching an intraday high of 70,020.68. Sentiment improved after the United States and Iran reached an interim agreement to reopen shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, while Brent crude fell nearly 5% in a single session. The rally also drew support from the Bank of Japan’s 0.25% rate hike that lifted its benchmark rate to 1%, a level not seen in around 30 years, alongside continued strength in global AI-related stocks.