Trump’s Latest Signal Gives Beleaguered Markets a Boost For Now

Markets seem to perpetually swing between hope and despair these days. US President Donald Trump said he foresaw ending the war on Iran within two to three weeks, suggesting the US had largely accomplished its military goals and would leave it to other nations to resolve issues with the Strait of Hormuz.

And just like that, Asian stocks jumped the most in a year and bonds extended gains on optimism the Middle East conflict that jolted global markets and disrupted energy supplies may be nearing a conclusion. The advance followed gains on Wall Street. Oil dropped — Brent futures fell below $100 a barrel for the first time in a week, even as the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed and more US troops arrived in the region.