[MARKET ANALYSIS] Nikkei 225 surges on its return from holiday, US equity futures consolidate near ATHs

Asia-Pac stocks trade entirely in the green, following on from the gains seen stateside as hopes of an end of the US-Iran conflict spurred risk-on flows.
ASX 200 continues its rebound and looks set for 2 consecutive days of gains. Miners are the biggest gainers while Energy names slump. Shares of Tabcorp have nosedived after the Co. stated that AUSTRAC has commenced an enforcement investigation with serious concerns over money laundering and terrorism financing risks.
Nikkei 225 returns from its holiday with the need to catch up to the gains seen in equities while it was closed. As a result, the Nikkei surged to new ATHs, extending above the 62,000 handle and nearing the 63,000 level.
KOSPI underperforms its APAC peer, as it consolidates from its surge beyond the 7,000 handle. SK Securities raised its PT for Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to a price that is 88% and 87% higher, respectively, than their current price.
Shanghai Comp. and Hang Seng gains despite the lack of single stock news. Continuing on the chip theme, Montage has overtaken CATL as the most expensive dual-listed stock in Hong Kong relative to its mainland shares.
US equity futures trade around the unchanged mark as it consolidate around its ATHs.
European equity futures are indicative of a quiet open with the Euro Stoxx 50 future +0.1% after cash closed +2.5% on Wednesday.