Business and finance news from the Asia-Pacific.

Crude oil held its gains as the US and Iran exchanged fire, jolting a four-week-old ceasefire and raising concerns that Middle East tensions could escalate again. Brent edged 0.5% lower to just under $114 a barrel at the open Tuesday as escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz raised fears about high energy prices and global inflation. Australian shares opened lower, with markets closed in Japan, South Korea and mainland China. US equity-index futures were little changed after the S&P 500 Index retreated from its record on Monday. We spoke to Paul Dobson, Bloomberg's Executive Editor for Asia Markets.

And for more on the markets, we heard from Kyle Rodda, Senior Market Analyst at Capital.com speaking to Bloomberg TV hosts Paul Allen and Shery Ahn.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Business and finance news from the Asia-Pacific.

Markets opened on an optimistic note after President Donald Trump said the US will begin guiding ships not involved in the Iran conflict through the Strait of Hormuz from Monday. However, a senior Iranian official warned that Tehran would consider any US interference in the Strait a ceasefire breach, according to an AFP report. For more on the markets, we heard from Dilin Wu, Pepperstone Research Strategist speaking to Bloomberg's Haidi Stroud-Watts and Shery Ahn.

Plus - Japan's prime minister is visiting Australia to strengthen ties with one of her country's strongest allies as she seeks to build on an updated regional strategy laid out in Vietnam. Sanae Takaichi touched down late Sunday local time in Canberra for the three-day visit, which will focus on defense, critical minerals and broader economic security. The two countries have grown increasingly concerned about the changing security and economic environment in the region, with Japan taking a more assertive military stance and looking to build economic ties and stable supply chains with nations such as Vietnam. We heard from Tobias Harris, Japan Foresight Founder and Principal speaking to Bloomberg's Haidi Stroud-Watts and Shery Ahn.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week.

• In the US – a look ahead to the April jobs report in the U.S and a focus on 3 stocks for the week ahead.
• In the UK – a look ahead to the UK’s Midterm local elections.
• In Asia – a look ahead to the next RBA Decision.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.