CBOE Volatility Index Rises 1.8% Pre-Bell as Israel Attacks Lebanon Amid Stalled Iran Peace Talks, Broadcom Hits Nasdaq Futures

US Equity Futures Mixed Pre-Bell as Nasdaq Sinks After Broadcom Shares Slump Following Results, Israel Drone Strikes in Lebanon

Japanese Stocks Open Lower Amid US-Iran Fresh Tensions, BOJ's Hawkish Signals

Japanese shares tumbled at Thursday's market open, tracking losses in US equity-index futures following renewed hostilities between the US and Iran that jolted investor confidence.The Nikkei 225 fell 541.3 points or 0.8% to open at 67,860.84.The overnight clashes, which involved Kuwait and Bahrain, mark the most significant escalation since a ceasefire took effect in early April and threaten to undermine ongoing US-Iran talks over extending the truce and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.Meanwhile, Dallas Federal Reserve President Lorie Logan signaled that US rate hikes may be needed later this year, while Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda suggested a rate hike this month is likely if inflation risks outweigh potential economic harm from the Middle East crisis.Ueda stated that as long as regional turmoil subsides and price growth steadily approaches the 2% target, the BOJ will raise borrowing costs at an appropriate pace.

South Korean Shares Open Lower on Overnight Wall Street Losses, Fresh US-Iran Tensions

South Korean shares opened sharply lower on Thursday, owing to overnight losses on Wall Street and fresh Middle East tensions after the U.S. launched new military attacks on Iran's Qeshm Islands.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, fell 2%, or 177.67 points, to open at 8,623.82. The Kosdaq increased 0.7%, or 6.88 points, to open at 1,032.91.The major U.S. stock indices closed lower on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average declining 1.21%, the S&P 500 falling 0.74%, and the Nasdaq Composite shedding 0.89%.The U.S. military said it tackled multiple Iranian missiles and drone attacks in the Gulf and carried out self-defense strikes on an Iranian military ground control station on Qeshm Island. U.S. forces also shot down three Iranian attack drones that were heading toward civilian mariners in regional waters, according to the U.S. Central Command.