Market Overview
Asian equity markets declined on Monday, with risk appetite weakened by renewed US‑Iran tensions that lifted oil prices.
South Korea KOSPI Decline
The Korean benchmark KOSPI fell more than 5%, extending its recent sell‑off as heavyweight chipmakers came under pressure.
Chipmaker Stock Moves
Samsung Electronics (KS:005930) shares slipped nearly 7%, while SK Hynix (KS:000660) dropped 11%.
Regional Index Performance
Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.3% and the broader TOPIX slipped 0.8%; China’s Shanghai Composite declined 0.7% and the CSI 300 edged 0.3% lower. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was largely unchanged. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged down 0.3% and Singapore’s Straits Times Index fell 0.2%. Futures on India’s Nifty 50 slipped 0.6%.
Oil Price Surge and Inflation Concerns
Brent crude rose more than 3% in Asian trading, reviving fears that higher energy costs could feed inflation and complicate the outlook for global interest rates.
Geopolitical Developments
Iran expanded missile and drone attacks to Gulf states in retaliation for U.S. strikes and announced the Strait of Hormuz closed. President Donald Trump stated that commercial shipping through the waterway remained open under U.S. protection.
Upcoming Economic Data and Earnings
Investors await U.S. consumer‑price inflation data due Tuesday for clues on Federal Reserve policy, and look ahead to the second‑quarter earnings season, led by major U.S. banks and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd later this week.
Additional Market Indicators
Other listed moves included: AXJO –0.20%, JP225 –2.28%, HK50 –0.34%, LCO +4.10%, NQU26 –1.03%, NSEI –0.76%, KS11 –7.45%, STI –0.31%, SSEC –1.54%, TOPX –0.59%, 000660 –12.48%, 005930 –7.63%, CSI300 –1.34%.