Asia Stocks Mixed Amid Tech Losses and Iran Concerns; Japan GDP Surges

Asian equities traded mixed as technology stocks declined amid renewed risk-off sentiment, while geopolitical concerns related to Iran's regional tensions added to market caution. Japan's Q1 GDP growth came in above expectations, supporting the yen and boosting domestic equities, though gains were capped by broader regional tech weakness tied to U.S. rate-sensitive sectors. The divergence in performance reflects a shift in capital flows toward safe-haven assets and away from growth-oriented stocks, driven by elevated rate differentials and Middle East supply disruption risks. Japanese government bonds and the yen saw modest strength, while semiconductor-related stocks in Taiwan and South Korea remained under pressure. Traders will watch upcoming U.S. CPI data for confirmation on inflation trends, which could reinforce or ease pressure on tech valuations.

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