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Asian Markets
APAC starts the week in the red; Nikkei plunges 4.8%
Asian-Pacific equity markets opened the week in negative territory as investors retreated amid escalating geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices. By 11:50 am AEDT (12:50 am GMT), Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 led the declines, tumbling 4.8%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 1.3%, while South Korea’s KOSPI 200 dropped 4.3%. The sell-off follows an escalation in the Middle East conflict after Yemen’s Houthis announced they had launched ballistic missile strikes targeting Israeli military sites. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said the attacks were carried out in support of Iran and allied Hezbollah forces, marking the group’s first direct involvement in the war. The development has intensified concerns that the conflict could widen further, disrupting global energy supplies and trade routes. Oil prices responded sharply in early Asian trading, with Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate futures both rising 2.8% to US$108.27 and $102.31 per barrel, respectively. The surge in energy prices has added to inflation concerns globally, complicating the outlook for central banks. In Japan, a summary of opinions from the Bank of Japan indicated policymakers are increasingly debating the need for further interest rate hikes
Asian Markets
APAC shares fall; investors monitor Iran developments
Asia-Pacific markets declined on Friday, tracking losses on Wall Street overnight as investors assessed mixed signals surrounding negotiations between the United States and Iran. United States President Donald Trump extended his deadline for potential strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure by 10 days to 6 April, citing a request from Tehran as negotiations continue. “As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. Despite Washington signalling a preference for a diplomatic resolution, Tehran has denied engaging in direct negotiations with the United States, contributing to ongoing market uncertainty. By 11:50 am AEDT (12.50 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.6%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 1.9%. South Korea’s KOSPI 200 led losses, tumbling 4.3%. Economic data from South Korea showed a slight deterioration in business sentiment. The Composite Business Sentiment Index (CBSI) for March edged down 0.1 points to 94.1, while the outlook for the following month fell 4.5 points to 93.1. Manufacturing sentiment remained unchanged at 97.1, though its outlook declined by 3.0 points to 95.9
Asian Markets
APAC markets boosted amid Iran de-escalation hopes
Asia-Pacific equity markets traded higher on Wednesday, supported by renewed optimism over a potential de-escalation in the Iran conflict after comments from United States President Donald Trump pointed to ongoing diplomatic efforts. Investor sentiment improved after Trump said the United States and Iran were “in negotiations right now” and suggested Tehran was open to reaching a peace agreement. Speaking at the Oval Office on Tuesday, he added that he had stepped back from earlier threats to target Iranian energy infrastructure “based on the fact we’re negotiating”. However, Iranian officials have denied that direct talks are taking place. By 11.40 am AEDT (12.40 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 advanced 1.7%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 3.4%. South Korea’s KOSPI 200 also climbed 3.2%. Economic data releases provided additional context for investors. South Korea’s Composite Consumer Sentiment Index (CCSI) for March came in at 107.0, marking a decline of 5.1 points from the previous month. In Australia, the latest inflation data showed consumer prices rising 3.7% in the 12 months to February 2026, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The figure represented a slight easing from the 3.8% annu
Asian Markets
APAC markets rise as oil pullback eases nerves
Asia-Pacific markets moved higher on Tuesday, supported by a sharp decline in oil prices that helped ease investor concerns amid tentative signs of de-escalation in the Middle East conflict. Regional sentiment improved after United States President Donald Trump said he had instructed the military to delay planned strikes on Iran’s power plants and energy facilities for five days, following discussions with Iranian officials. However, Iranian state media disputed the claim, denying that any talks had taken place between Washington and Tehran. By 11:45 am AEDT (12:45 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.6%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 1.3%, and South Korea’s KOSPI 200 led regional advances with a 2.4% jump. Economic data releases across the region painted a mixed picture. In Japan, headline inflation eased for a fourth consecutive month in February as the economy cooled alongside stabilising food prices. The consumer price index (CPI) slowed to 1.3%, its lowest level since March 2022 and below the central bank’s 2% target, down from 1.5% in January. Core inflation, which excludes fresh food prices, moderated to 1.6%, missing expectations of a 1.7% increase and down from 2% previously. Meanwhile, “core-core” inflat
Asian Markets
APAC markets slump on US-Iran tensions
Asia-Pacific markets declined sharply on Monday as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran unsettled investors and heightened concerns over global energy supply. The sell-off followed renewed threats from United States President Donald Trump, who warned that Washington would “obliterate” Iran’s power infrastructure if Tehran failed to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. Iran responded with strong rhetoric, signalling it would target energy and desalination infrastructure across the Gulf region if the U.S. followed through on its ultimatum. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that any attack on the country’s power facilities would trigger immediate retaliation against oil and energy infrastructure across the region, adding that such actions could drive oil prices higher for an extended period. He also extended the warning to financial entities, stating that holders of U.S. government debt that “finance the U.S. military budget” could be considered legitimate targets alongside military installations. By 11.45 am AEDT (12.45 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 1.2%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 4.6%. South Korea’s KOSPI 200 led losses, sliding 5.3%. The weak

Asian Markets
APAC markets mixed as Iran war drives volatility
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Friday, following a volatile session on Wall Street, as investors continued to offload assets across equities, government bonds and commodities amid escalating conflict in the Middle East. Heightened geopolitical tensions have triggered widespread selling, with attacks on critical oil and gas infrastructure sending energy prices sharply higher and fuelling global market uncertainty. The latest escalation saw Iran strike Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas facility, in retaliation for Israeli attacks on the South Pars gas field. QatarEnergy chief executive Saad al-Kaabi said the damage would remove around 17% of the country’s LNG export capacity for between three and five years. The disruption has intensified pressure on global energy markets, with oil and gas prices surging as supply concerns mount. Despite the escalation, there were tentative signs of de-escalation. U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington would not deploy ground troops, while Benjamin Netanyahu indicated Israel would refrain from further strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, U.S.-aligned nations, including the United Kingdom, Canada, France, German
Asian Markets
APAC slides; oil surge, inflation fears hit sentiment
Asia-Pacific markets traded lower on Thursday, following a weak lead from Wall Street overnight where the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at a fresh low for 2026 amid rising inflation concerns. Investor sentiment was pressured after the Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.5% to 3.75%. Chair Jerome Powell signalled a more cautious outlook on monetary easing, noting that inflation was not declining as much as “hoped.” Adding to the cautious tone, U.S. producer price data for February came in above expectations, reinforcing concerns that price pressures remain persistent. Attention in Asia is now focused on the upcoming decision from the Bank of Japan, which is widely expected to keep its policy rate steady at 0.75%. By 11:40 am AEDT, regional indices were firmly in negative territory. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropped 1.6%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 2.7%, and South Korea’s KOSPI 200 declined 3%. In Australia, labour market data pointed to a modest deterioration. Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 4.3% in February, above market expectations of 4.1%. Sean Crick, head of labour statistics at the ABS, said: “The
Asian Markets
APAC markets mostly higher; Japan trade data in focus
Asia-Pacific markets traded mostly higher on Wednesday, as investors assessed fresh economic data from Japan and monitored escalating tensions in the Middle East. A renewed wave of attacks targeting energy infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates has heightened concerns over prolonged supply disruptions amid the Iran conflict. The incidents included a drone strike on a major gas facility, a fire at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, and reported damage to a tanker near the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz. By 11:20 am AEDT, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged 0.1% lower, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed 1.6%. South Korea’s KOSPI 200 outperformed, surging 2.8%. Among economic data releases, South Korea added 234,000 jobs in February, marking the fastest annual employment growth in five months. However, underlying weaknesses persisted, particularly among younger workers and in the construction sector. Employment among those aged 15 to 29 fell by 146,000, while the youth unemployment rate rose to 7.7%, the highest February reading since 2021. In Japan, official data showed the country recorded a merchandise trade surplus of ¥57.27 billion in February, according to the Finance Ministry. Exports rose 4.2%, exceedin
Asian Markets
APAC markets rise; oil pullback boosts risk appetite
Asia-Pacific markets traded higher on Tuesday as investors monitored developments in the Iran war, while easing oil prices helped improve sentiment across regional equities. Attention was also drawn to geopolitical developments after United States President Donald Trump indicated he may delay a planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping by “a month or so” due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Trump had been expected to travel to China at the end of March. By 11:55 am AEDT (12:55 am GMT), most major regional benchmarks were trading in positive territory. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged up 0.1%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.2%. South Korea’s KOSPI 200 recorded stronger gains, jumping 2.3% during the session. Among data releases, South Korea’s import prices rose for the eighth consecutive month in February, driven largely by higher global oil prices, according to preliminary data released Tuesday by the Bank of Korea. The country’s import price index increased 1.1% month-on-month in February, accelerating from a 0.4% rise in January and rising 1.2% year-on-year. The data also showed export prices rising for an eighth straight month, climbing 2.1% from the previous month, and 10.7% year-on-year.