Asian shares rose on Thursday, driven by gains in the technology sector, particularly in Japan and South Korea, following positive earnings reports from U.S. companies like Qualcomm and Micron Technology. Meanwhile, oil prices decreased by over $1, nearing levels seen before the onset of the war with Iran. Qualcomm's stock experienced a 12% increase in after-hours trading after announcing a raise in its earnings forecast.

Asian shares experienced mixed trading on June 23, 2026, as caution prevailed due to ongoing uncertainty regarding the war in Iran. Japan's Nikkei 225 index fell by 0.9% to 71,681.29, reflecting a cooling off after a period of strong market performance. Neil Newman, Managing Director at Astris Advisory Japan, noted that the market had previously risen by about 12.5% over eight days before this decline.

South Korea is implementing significant reforms to achieve developed-market status, despite the won currently being close to a 17-year low. This move includes the introduction of 24-hour trading for the currency, a decision influenced by the country's experience with the financial crash in 1997, which has left a lasting impact on its economic policies.

South Africa's financial markets are showing signs of recovery following recent geopolitical tensions, with important insights into the effects of oil prices and currency fluctuations on investments. This rebound indicates a positive trend for investors looking to navigate the changing economic landscape.

According to the JSE, South Africa's markets have shown resilience in the face of significant global market volatility. Despite the challenging conditions affecting markets worldwide, the JSE reports that South Africa's financial landscape remains stable.

Investors are optimistic that resilient economic growth, increased spending on artificial intelligence, and stronger corporate earnings will counterbalance challenges such as rising borrowing costs, geopolitical tensions, and high market valuations, according to Moneyweb.