Morning brief: Trump's Iran signal, oil jumps, Oracle cuts jobs

Global markets and geopolitics remain in focus on Wednesday as tensions around the Iran conflict continue to shape investor sentiment.

US President Donald Trump has hinted at a possible end to the war, even as Washington prepares for his formal national address.

Oil prices remain volatile, while tech layoffs highlight shifting priorities toward artificial intelligence.

Asian markets are rebounding on cautious optimism, underscoring a week defined by uncertainty and rapid shifts across economies.

Trump to address the nation on Iran

US President Donald Trump signalled a possible endgame to the ongoing conflict with Iran.

He said that Washington could wrap up its military campaign within weeks even without a formal agreement with Tehran.

White House said that the US President will deliver an address “to the nation to provide an important update on Iran.”

The war, which is in its fifth week now, has seen intense US and allied strikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear-linked infrastructure.

Trump indicated the objective is to cripple Iran’s capabilities, particularly its ability to develop nuclear weapons.

Oil price edges higher

Oil prices remained volatile on Wednesday as investors weighed signs of a possible de-escalation in the Iran conflict.

Brent crude traded above the $100-a-barrel mark, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) also posted gains, extending a sharp rally seen through March.

Markets reacted cautiously to comments from US President Donald Trump suggesting the conflict could wind down within weeks.

The uncertainty around shipping routes and production continues to keep prices elevated. The recent surge underscores how sensitive oil markets remain to geopolitical tensions.

Oracle layoffs hit thousands

Oracle has begun laying off thousands of employees globally as the software giant ramps up spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure.

The move underscores a growing tension between cost-cutting and big-tech expansion.

The company has confirmed at least 491 job cuts in Washington state, though the broader scale is believed to be significantly larger.

The layoffs are part of a wider restructuring plan that could cost up to $2.1 billion in fiscal 2026, largely driven by severance and related expenses.

The move comes as Oracle pours billions into data centres and AI capabilities to compete with cloud rivals.

Asian markets rebound

Asian markets rebounded sharply on Wednesday, with Japan’s Nikkei and South Korea’s Kospi leading gains as investors cheered signs of a possible easing in the Iran conflict.

The rally followed comments from US President Donald Trump suggesting the war could wind down within weeks, lifting global risk sentiment.

Stocks were also supported by upbeat regional data.

South Korea’s exports surged far beyond expectations, while Japan’s latest Bank of Japan Tankan survey showed improving business confidence among large manufacturers.

Still, uncertainty lingers.

Rising oil prices and ongoing tensions in the Middle East continue to cloud the outlook, with investors closely watching both geopolitical developments and central bank signals.