"Global Markets React to US Inflation Data and Geopolitical Tensions"

Asian stocks rose as attention turned to key US consumer price data, with markets in Japan, South Korea, and mainland China showing modest gains following a positive end to the first quarter for US stocks. Investors are awaiting the release of the Federal Reserve's preferred consumer price reading for insights into its policy outlook, while several Asian markets are closed for a public holiday. Concerns about potential swings in Japan's currency persist, and there is growing wariness of intervention. Additionally, China's corporate front saw one major property firm delaying its earnings report and another posting a historic profit decline. Swaps traders slightly trimmed wagers on a Fed rate cut, and the US government's main measures of activity posted strong advances at the end of last year. Gold hit a fresh all-time high, while oil scored a 16% quarterly gain.