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Asian Markets
Markets: APAC benchmarks in the green as oil retreats
Asia-Pacific markets traded higher on Tuesday as investors welcomed a broad regional rebound following a recovery on Wall Street and a sharp pullback in oil prices after United States President Donald Trump signalled the conflict with Iran could be nearing its end. Oil markets retreated after Trump said he was considering seizing control of the Strait of Hormuz, the most critical chokepoint for global crude shipments. Trump also told a CBS News reporter, who shared the comments in a post on X, that “the war is very complete, pretty much”. By 11:30 am AEDT (12:30 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was trading 1.3% higher, Japan’s Nikkei 225 advanced 2.8%, while South Korea’s KOSPI 200 surged 5.4%. The gains in Asia followed a rebound on Wall Street overnight. In the United States, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.5%, the S&P 500 gained 0.8%, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.4%. In Japan, revised figures showed the economy expanded faster than initially estimated in the final three months of 2025, supported by stronger business investment. Gross domestic product rose 1.3% on an annualised basis, significantly above the preliminary estimate of 0.2% and slightly ahead of economists’ median forecast of 1.2%.
Asian Markets
APAC markets routed as risk sentiment deteriorates
Asia-Pacific equity markets plunged on Monday as a surge in oil prices above US$100 a barrel triggered a broad-based regional sell-off, with investors rattled by escalating conflict in the Middle East and growing fears of a global economic slowdown. By 11:55 am AEDT (12:55 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 had dropped 3.6%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 tumbled 6.4%, while South Korea’s KOSPI 200 slumped 7.2%. The sell-off followed a dramatic rally in oil prices, which surged after major Middle Eastern producers curtailed output amid ongoing disruptions in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures jumped 17.2% to $108.65 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose nearly 19.1% to $108.28. The surge in energy prices comes after several key oil producers in the region, including Kuwait, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, reduced production following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for global energy supplies. The waterway typically handles a substantial share of the world’s seaborne oil shipments, and the disruption has intensified fears of a prolonged supply shock that could push prices even higher. Despite the sharp jump in crude prices, U.S. President D
Asian Markets
APAC markets gain, Kospi rebounds after major losses
Asia-Pacific markets rose on Thursday, with South Korea’s Kospi index rebounding from its plunge this week amid the United States-Israel-Iran conflict. By 11:45 am AEDT (12:45 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.4% to 8,933.10, and Japan’s Nikkei 225 was up 4.2% to 56,502.25. The Kospi 200 increased 12.2% to 849.28, with the broader Kospi Composite rising 11.4%. The Kospi Composite posted its worst ever single-day decline yesterday, closing 12.1% lower. The Korea Exchange activated a 20-minute circuit breaker after losses crossed 8%, temporarily suspending trading. Around 98% of South Korea’s fossil fuel is imported, with about 70% of its oil needs deriving from the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz, where roughly one-fifth of global oil flows would typically transit, remains closed by Iran amid the conflict. China has lowered its 2025 gross domestic product target to 4.5-5%, meanwhile, as the country’s deflationary pressures continue. Its target has been roughly 5% for the past three years. Australia’s seasonally adjusted goods trade surplus narrowed by A$742 million to $2.631 billion in January, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Exports fell by $415 million (0.9%), driven by declines in
Asian Markets
APAC markets extend declines; Iran conflict in focus
Asia-Pacific markets extended their declines on Wednesday as investors monitored the escalating Iran conflict and assessed a raft of regional economic data. Investor attention also turned to China’s annual parliamentary meetings, known as the “Two Sessions”, which begin with a consultative congress later in the day, followed by the opening of the National People’s Congress on Thursday. Premier Li Qiang is expected to unveil key economic targets at the gathering, largely shaped during policy discussions held in December. By 11:40 am AEDT (12:40 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was down 1.6%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 had fallen 2.3%, and South Korea’s KOSPI 200 had dropped 5%. Data from Statistics Korea showed industrial production declined 1.7% month-on-month in January on a seasonally adjusted basis, well below expectations for a 0.5% rise and reversing a revised 1.5% increase in December. The fall marked the first contraction in three months and reflected weakness in manufacturing, particularly semiconductors. On an annual basis, however, production jumped 7.1%, comfortably beating forecasts for a 2.2% increase and accelerating from a revised 1.4% gain in the previous month. Maenwhile, retail sales rose 2.3% month-
Asian Markets
APAC markets in retreat; Iran war weighs on sentiment
Asia-Pacific markets opened in negative territory on Tuesday as the conflict in Iran entered its fourth day, dampening investor sentiment across the region. By 11.40 am AEDT (12.40 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.8%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 had shed 0.8%, and South Korea’s KOSPI 200 was 1.3% lower. Among data releases, South Korea's latest S&P Global manufacturing PMI was little changed at 51.1, compared with 51.2 in the previous month, indicating continued expansion in factory activity. The report noted: “Firms reported stronger output growth amid a solid uptick in new order volumes. Manufacturers often cited a strengthening semiconductor sector, boosting sales to both domestic and external clients, while also influencing purchasing decisions during February. "That said, company restructuring and the non-replacement of resigning employees contributed to the steepest fall in headcounts since September 2020.” In Japan, the unemployment rate rose to 2.7%, slightly above expectations of 2.6%, signalling a modest softening in labour market conditions despite ongoing economic recovery efforts. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed Australia’s current account balance fell by $2.8 billion in the De

Asian Markets
APAC markets slide; oil surges amid US-Iran conflict
Asia-Pacific markets fell on Monday as escalating tensions between Iran and the United States-Israel alliance rattled investors, pushing oil futures sharply higher and fuelling concerns over global energy supplies. The sell-off follows the death of Ali Khamenei, confirmed by Iranian state media after coordinated strikes. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that combat operations in Iran would continue after three U.S. service personnel were killed, heightening fears of a prolonged regional conflict. By 11:30 am AEDT (12:30 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was trading 0.4% lower, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 slumped 2.5%. South Korea’s KOSPI 200 remained closed for a public holiday. In Australia, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that seasonally adjusted company gross operating profits rose 5.8% in the latest quarter, well above expectations of a 3.6% increase. Wages and salaries climbed 0.9% over the same period. In commodities, Brent crude rose 2.9% on Friday to settle at US$72.87 per barrel before futures jumped more than 7.5% to US$78.43 at Monday’s open. Spot gold also strengthened, settling 1.8% higher on Friday at US$5,278.51 per ounce, as investors sought safe-haven assets amid mo
Asian Markets
APAC trades mixed, echoing Wall St performance
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Friday after a pullback on Wall Street, where a sharp decline in Nvidia weighed on technology shares despite the chipmaker delivering a quarterly earnings beat. By 12 pm AEDT (1 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was 0.1% higher, extending the previous session’s record closing high. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 fell 0.8%, while South Korea’s KOSPI 200 was down 1.9%. Among economic releases, Japan’s Tokyo inflation gauge slowed to its weakest pace in more than a year, as utility subsidies introduced by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi helped curb household energy costs. Consumer prices excluding fresh food rose 1.8% year-on-year in February in the capital, marking the smallest increase since October 2024. The reading was slightly above the median economist forecast of 1.7%. The Tokyo consumer price index is widely viewed as a leading indicator for nationwide inflation trends. The moderation was expected, with price growth slowing for a third consecutive month as government measures to reduce utility bills filtered through to the data. However, a separate measure that excludes both fresh food and energy — closely watched as a gauge of underlying inflation — rose 2.5%, remaining above the
Asian Markets
APAC in the green after Wall St AI rebound
Asia-Pacific markets advanced on Wednesday, tracking a technology-led rally on Wall Street overnight as investor concerns about artificial intelligence-driven disruption across select industries eased. By 11:55 am AEDT (12:55 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was up 0.8%, hovering just below fresh record highs. Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 1%, while South Korea’s KOSPI 200 added 0.8% to trade at a record peak. In Australia, fresh data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed annual inflation holding steady at 3.8% in January, slightly above market expectations of 3.7%. As noted in the media release, housing was the largest contributor to annual price growth, rising 6.8%, followed by food and non-alcoholic beverages, up 3.1%, and recreation and culture, which increased 3.7%. Analysts from Bendigo Bank commented: "A range of factors suggest this new tightening cycle will likely be persistent and drawn-out including the resilience of global trade in the face of tariffs and tight domestic labour and housing markets, although we currently only forecast one more hike this calendar year." "The full quarterly inflation data on April 29 will be the key data point for the May RBA decision, but we will need to see
Asian Markets
APAC markets mixed following overnight Wall St dip
Asia-Pacific markets traded higher on Tuesday, diverging from losses on Wall Street overnight as investors assessed renewed tariff threats from United States President Donald Trump and ongoing concerns that artificial intelligence could disrupt parts of the software industry. By 11:30 am AEDT (12:30 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was trading 0.1% higher. Japan’s Nikkei 225 added 0.3%, while South Korea’s KOSPI 200 fell 0.8%, retreating from record highs reached in the previous session. Regional sentiment was shaped by anticipation ahead of China’s loan prime rate (LPR) decision, as the People's Bank of China kept its benchmark lending rates unchanged on Tuesday, holding the one-year and five-year loan prime rates at 3% and 3.5% for a tenth consecutive month as policymakers balance support for a slowing economy with currency stability. The one-year LPR serves as the benchmark for new commercial loans, while the five-year rate guides mortgage pricing and broader property lending. Economic data from Seoul showed a mixed but generally resilient picture. South Korea’s composite consumer sentiment index rose to 112.1 in February 2026, up 1.3 points from January. Meanwhile, the country’s producer price index increased 0.