Asian stock markets took a breather on Thursday after a strong rally, as mixed tech earnings and caution ahead of Apple’s results prompted investors to reassess risk. Market sentiment was also influenced by a shaky U.S. dollar, surging commodity prices, and fresh geopolitical tensions, keeping global financial markets on edge. Equities across Asia pulled back slightly, with South Korean stocks slipping 1.2% despite having surged more than 20% earlier in the month. Currency markets reflected this uncertainty, with the euro rising toward $1.20 and the dollar weakening against the yen and Swiss franc. Overall, global markets remain finely balanced between optimism around earnings and AI growth, and caution driven by policy uncertainty, geopolitics, and stretched valuations.