Hanoi, Vietnam — JPMorgan’s analysts have expressed renewed optimism for Vietnam’s stock market following a significant trade agreement with the United States. The bank upgraded its evaluation of Vietnamese equities to “overweight,” particularly after the announcement that Vietnam would be the first Southeast Asian country to secure a tariff deal with the U.S., resulting in a 20% tariff rate.

The analysts, led by Khoi Vu, highlighted the country’s impressive economic growth, as evidenced by second-quarter GDP estimates approaching 8%. This economic momentum has prompted JPMorgan to anticipate a bullish market outlook, with projections for the VN-Index potentially reaching 1,500 to 1,600 points by the end of the year.

As of Thursday afternoon local time, the VN-Index was showing strong performance, trading up 0.78% at 1,442.29 points. This bullish sentiment reflects broader investor confidence in the Vietnamese economy, bolstered by trade enhancements with a key partner.

In Singapore, market sentiment mirrored positive trends, with the benchmark Straits Times Index reaching a record 4,077.41 points, up 0.47% for the day. This marks the fourth consecutive day of gains for Singaporean equities, showcasing resilience and growth in the region’s financial markets.

Meanwhile, in the United States, President Trump announced a 50% tariff on copper imports, scheduled to take effect on August 1. The decision came after he assessed the national security implications of copper, which is vital for various sectors, including semiconductors and defense. Trump emphasized the material’s significance for numerous technologies essential to U.S. defense strategies.

In South Korea, the Bank of Korea maintained its policy rate at 2.5%, keeping it steady at nearly a three-year low. This decision comes amid economic challenges, with the country experiencing a contraction of 0.2% in the first quarter due to declining construction activities and weakening export growth.

As trading opened across Asia-Pacific markets, results were mixed. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.45%, while South Korea’s Kospi and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 saw modest gains. Market futures in the U.S. hovered near the flatline, signaling cautious investor sentiment ahead of upcoming sessions.

Investors are closely watching these developments, as the interplay of trade agreements, geopolitical tensions, and economic conditions continues to shape market dynamics across the region.