Stock markets fell as investors awaited news of an extension to the Iran-US ceasefire, while crude prices edged back down following the previous day’s rally, reports Reuters.

The losses follow a healthy, record-breaking week for equities fuelled by hopes the Middle East war, which is heading into a seventh week, could be close to an end after Donald Trump said negotiators were close to a deal.

Stocks fell across the region, with Tokyo, which hit a record high Thursday, among the biggest losers, with Seoul, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore also well down.