{ "id": 2921173, "title": "Shares flat in Asia before Iran sanctions news, Nvidia results", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/shares-flat-in-asia-before-iran-sanctions-news-nvidia-results-2921173", "topic": "finance", "section": "Finance & Markets", "published": "2026-08-24T02:13:00.000Z", "source": { "name": "Straits Times Business", "slug": "straits-times-business", "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/business/shares-flat-in-asia-before-iran-sanctions-news-nvidia-results" }, "original_language": "en", "account": "Share markets in Asia were flat on August 24 as investors waited for details of threatened US sanctions on Iran, while the Canadian dollar dipped amid looming trade tensions with its southern neighbour. Tech investors anxiously await Nvidia's results on August 26, as the chipmaker is under immense pressure to exceed expectations. Analysts expect quarterly revenue to almost double to around US$92 billion, with full-year earnings guidance ranging from US$103 billion to US$105 billion. Market participants are also hoping for clarity on the outlook for US interest rates during Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh's speech in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on August 28. However, Warsh's known reluctance to provide forward guidance may lead to disappointment, as he will likely focus on aspects of his \"regime change\" agenda. The Federal Reserve has been moving towards shrinking its balance sheet, and the committee's attention to the balance sheet in July minutes may be the most likely topic for Warsh to discuss. Market participants imply a 40% chance of a Fed rate hike when they meet on September 16, with full expectations of a move by December. The odds could shift based on US inflation figures this week, with median forecasts for core inflation staying at 3.3% in July. Warsh will likely face questions about Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's surprise announcement last week of a doubling in bond buybacks, aimed at curbing rising yields and tightening financial conditions. However, bond buybacks have had little success, as 30-year yields remain at 5.2760%, near the recent 19-year peak of 5.3371%. Higher yields make debt more attractive compared to equities, while increasing the discount applied to future earnings, highlighting the stretched nature of some valuations. Bessent is set to hold a news conference later on August 24 to outline sanctions on Iran, which has shown no signs of relinquishing control over the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices eased, with Brent slipping 1.0% to US$93.43, while US crude eased 1.1% to US$86.14 a barrel. Equity markets were quiet at the start of trade, with the Nikkei near flat after falling almost 4% last week. South Korean shares fell 0.8%, while Taiwan dipped 0.5%. MSCI's broadest Asia-Pacific index outside Japan slipped 0.2%. In Europe, Euro Stoxx 50, DAX, and FTSE futures were all little changed. On Wall Street, S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures were a fraction lower. The Canadian dollar added 0.1% against the US dollar after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada's response to US tariffs with levies on steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics. The dollar faced pressure as investors worry that growing US debt and policy uncertainties may erode its purchasing power, driving demand for scarcer assets such as gold. The yellow metal gained 0.4% to US$4,623 an ounce, having risen over 14% for the month.", "summary": "Market participants are hoping for some clarity on the outlook for US interest rates.", "key_points": [], "editors_take": null, "illustration": null, "coverage": { "outlets": 9, "also_reported_by": [ { "outlet": "Investing.com", "title": "Shares flat in Asia before Iran sanctions news, Nvidia results", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/shares-flat-in-asia-before-iran-sanctions-news-nvidia-results", "published": "2026-08-24T00:54:31.000Z" }, { "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today", "title": "Shares flat in Asia before Iran sanctions news, Nvidia results", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/shares-flat-in-asia-before-iran-sanctions-news-nvidia-results-2911269", "published": "2026-08-24T01:21:34.000Z" }, { "outlet": "Business Recorder", "title": "Indian shares likely to open higher; caution ahead of new Iran sanctions", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/indian-shares-likely-to-open-higher-caution-ahead-of-new-iran", "published": "2026-08-24T02:48:49.000Z" }, { "outlet": "New Straits Times", "title": "Shares flat in Asia before Iran sanctions news, Nvidia results", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/shares-flat-in-asia-before-iran-sanctions-news-nvidia-results-2931416", "published": "2026-08-24T02:54:29.000Z" }, { "outlet": "Al Jazeera", "title": "‘We know this movie’: Iran mocks latest US sanctions", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/we-know-this-movie-iran-mocks-latest-us-sanctions", "published": "2026-08-24T04:02:14.000Z" }, { "outlet": "Times of India", "title": "Rupee climbs to 95.64 against US dollar; Iran sanctions, crude prices in focus", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/rupee-climbs-to-95-64-against-us-dollar-iran-sanctions-crude-prices", "published": "2026-08-24T04:30:23.000Z" }, { "outlet": "City AM", "title": "FTSE 100 Live: Stocks to open flat; Iran hits back at Trump ‘economic D-Day’ threat", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/ftse-100-live-stocks-to-open-flat-iran-hits-back-at-trump-economic-d", "published": "2026-08-24T05:30:00.000Z" }, { "outlet": "Seeking Alpha News", "title": "Iran Economic D-Day: Bessent warns of endgame; Tehran threatens Gulf oil exports", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/iran-economic-d-day-bessent-warns-of-endgame-tehran-threatens-gulf", "published": "2026-08-24T09:19:49.000Z" } ] }, "ai_generated": true, "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original." }