Hopes for early end to war lift sentimentPhotos: REUTERSThe war in Iran continues with ongoing attacks by both sides, while Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz weighs on investor sentiment. US President Donald Trump has expressed willingness to negotiate as he is politically motivated to end the war as soon as possible. This aligns with our initial assessment that a prolonged war is unlikely, and could end or de-escalate in the near future. We continue to expect global stock markets to fluctuate in response to the Mideast war, based on three possible scenarios:1. If the war escalates and significantly impacts oil production and transport, stock markets could continue to decline.
