Market Update
Japan's Indexes Extended Weekly Losses to 10% as U.S.-Iran Conflict Drags On
Akira Ito
04 Mar, 2026
Tokyo
Japan's indexes declined for the third day in a row as the surge in oil prices dampened market sentiment across Asia.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell nearly 4%, the broader Topix dropped 3.6%, and the yen weakened to 157.45 against the U.S. dollar.
Investors are increasingly factoring in the possibility of a prolonged U.S.-Iran conflict expanding to the wider group of nations in the Middle East.
Investors worried that the higher energy prices could stoke worldwide inflation and slow down economic growth and disrupt energy supplies for a prolonged time.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average dropped 3.7% to 54,220.74, and the broader Topix decreased 3.6% to 3,637.59.
Benchmark indexes extended this week's losses to over 10% following the start of war in the Middle East.
Nippon Yusen KK decreased 3.5% to ¥5,376.0, Mitsui O.S.K Lines dropped 2.8% to ¥5,887.0, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd fell 2.4% to ¥2,508.0.
Toyota Motor, Honda Motor, and Nissan Motor fell between 4% and 7%, and Hitachi, Komatsu, and Nippon Steel declined between 4% and 6%.
Tokyo Electron, Advantest Corp., and SoftBank Group plunged between 5% and 9%.
Japan's Indexes Extended Weekly Losses to 10% as U.S.-Iran Conflict Dragged On
Akira Ito
04 Mar, 2026
Tokyo
Japan's indexes declined for the third day in a row as the surge in oil prices dampened market sentiment across Asia.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell nearly 4%, the broader Topix dropped 3.6%, and the yen weakened to 157.45 against the U.S. dollar.
Investors are increasingly factoring in the possibility of a prolonged U.S.-Iran conflict expanding to the wider group of nations in the Middle East.
Investors worried that the higher energy prices could stoke worldwide inflation and slow down economic growth and disrupt energy supplies for a prolonged time.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average dropped 3.7% to 54,220.74, and the broader Topix decreased 3.6% to 3,637.59.
Benchmark indexes extended this week's losses to over 10% following the start of war in the Middle East.
Nippon Yusen KK decreased 3.5% to ¥5,376.0, Mitsui O.S.K Lines dropped 2.8% to ¥5,887.0, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd fell 2.4% to ¥2,508.0.
Toyota Motor, Honda Motor, and Nissan Motor fell between 4% and 7%, and Hitachi, Komatsu, and Nippon Steel declined between 4% and 6%.
Tokyo Electron, Advantest Corp., and SoftBank Group plunged between 5% and 9%.
Market Sell-off Deepens in China and Asia as Military Strikes In the Middle East Intensifies
Li Chen
04 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong
Stocks in China, Hong Kong, and Asia continued to drift amid a growing realization that the conflict in the Middle East is likely to drag on.
The sharp rise in crude oil prices for the third day in a row stoked fears of a rebound in inflation and a decline in economic growth.
Brent crude oil prices advanced to $82.15 a barrel as investors began to factor in the possibility of a prolonged war in the Middle East involving as many as twelve nations.
China imports about 90% of Iran's crude oil exports, and 22% of the world's natural gas exports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which is closed down by Iran.
The worry of energy supply disruptions weighed on stock prices around the world and drove higher oil prices for the third day in a row.
Market indexes in Japan fell more than 3% for the second consecutive session, and they plunged 11%, extending a two-day decline to more than 18%.
China's business activities rose in February amid an improving business climate ahead of the start of the Lunar Year.
The RatingDog China General Manufacturing PMI advanced to 52.1 in February from 50.3 in January, marking the expansion for the third month in a row and increasing to the highest level since December 2020.
The service sector activities expanded in February, reversing the deceleration over the last four months.
The RatingDog China General Services PMI soared to 56.7 in February from 52.3 in the previous month, reaching the highest level since May 2023.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 2.8% to 25,037.75, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index declined 1.6% to 4,581.06.
COSCO declined 7% to HK $15.15, China Merchants Port Holdings decreased 2.5% to HK $16.53, and Orient Overseas International fell 3.2% to HK $152.70.
Market Sell-off Deepens in China and Asia as Military Strikes In the Middle East Inte
Li Chen
04 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong
Stocks in China, Hong Kong, and Asia continued to drift amid a growing realization that the conflict in the Middle East is likely to drag on.
The sharp rise in crude oil prices for the third day in a row stoked fears of a rebound in inflation and a decline in economic growth.
Brent crude oil prices advanced to $82.15 a barrel as investors began to factor in the possibility of a prolonged war in the Middle East involving as many as twelve nations.
China imports about 90% of Iran's crude oil exports, and 22% of the world's natural gas exports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which is closed down by Iran.
The worry of energy supply disruptions weighed on stock prices around the world and drove higher oil prices for the third day in a row.
Market indexes in Japan fell more than 3% for the second consecutive session, and they plunged 11%, extending a two-day decline to more than 18%.
China's business activities rose in February amid an improving business climate ahead of the start of the Lunar Year.
The RatingDog China General Manufacturing PMI advanced to 52.1 in February from 50.3 in January, marking the expansion for the third month in a row and increasing to the highest level since December 2020.
The service sector activities expanded in February, reversing the deceleration over the last four months.
The RatingDog China General Services PMI soared to 56.7 in February from 52.3 in the previous month, reaching the highest level since May 2023.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 2.8% to 25,037.75, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index declined 1.6% to 4,581.06.
COSCO declined 7% to HK $15.15, China Merchants Port Holdings decreased 2.5% to HK $16.53, and Orient Overseas International fell 3.2% to HK $152.70.
U.S. Movers: Best Buy, MongoDB, Plug Power, Target
Scott Peters
03 Mar, 2026
New York City
MongoDB plunged 28% to $235.37 after the database software company's current-quarter estimate fell short of market expectations.
Target Corp. jumped 4.4% to $118.51 after the retail store chain operator reported results for the fiscal fourth quarter ending on January 31.
Net sales decreased to $30.5 billion from $30.9 billion, net income fell to $1.04 billion from $1.1 billion, and diluted earnings per share eased to $2.30 from $2.41 a year ago.
The company estimated fiscal 2026 net sales to rise 2%, earnings per share to be $7.50, and adjusted earnings per share to be $8.50.
The big-box retailer added that sales and traffic picked up in the last two months of the holiday quarter, and February sales rose compared to a year ago.
The Minneapolis-based retailer did not repurchase any shares in the fourth quarter, and as of the end of the fourth quarter, the company had approximately $8.3 billion available under the repurchase program.
Plug Power Inc. jumped 13.8% to $2.06 after the hydrogen fuel cell and electrolyzer systems developer reported strong sales in the fourth quarter.
Best Buy jumped 14% to $70.57 after the electronics retailer reported better-than-expected fiscal fourth-quarter results.
Revenue decreased to $13.8 billion from $13.9 billion, net income jumped to $514 million from $117 million, and diluted earnings per share advanced to $2.56 from $0.54 a year ago.
In the quarter, the company returned a total of $272 million to shareholders through dividends of $199 million and stock repurchases of $73 million.
Same store sales in the quarter declined 0.8%, compared to an increase of 0.5% a year ago.
In fiscal 2026, the company returned a total of $1.07 billion to shareholders through dividends of $801 million and share repurchases of $273 million.
The company expects to repurchase stocks worth $300 million in the fiscal year 2027.
The company increased its quarterly dividend by 1%, 96 cents per share, payable on April 14 to shareholders on record on March 24.
U.S. Movers: Best Buy, MongoDB, Plug Power, Target
Scott Peters
03 Mar, 2026
New York City
MongoDB plunged 28% to $235.37 after the database software company's current-quarter estimate fell short of market expectations.
Target Corp. jumped 4.4% to $118.51 after the retail store chain operator reported results for the fiscal fourth quarter ending on January 31.
Net sales decreased to $30.5 billion from $30.9 billion, net income fell to $1.04 billion from $1.1 billion, and diluted earnings per share eased to $2.30 from $2.41 a year ago.
The company estimated fiscal 2026 net sales to rise 2%, earnings per share to be $7.50, and adjusted earnings per share to be $8.50.
The big-box retailer added that sales and traffic picked up in the last two months of the holiday quarter, and February sales rose compared to a year ago.
The Minneapolis-based retailer did not repurchase any shares in the fourth quarter, and as of the end of the fourth quarter, the company had approximately $8.3 billion available under the repurchase program.
Plug Power Inc. jumped 13.8% to $2.06 after the hydrogen fuel cell and electrolyzer systems developer reported strong sales in the fourth quarter.
Best Buy jumped 14% to $70.57 after the electronics retailer reported better-than-expected fiscal fourth-quarter results.
Revenue decreased to $13.8 billion from $13.9 billion, net income jumped to $514 million from $117 million, and diluted earnings per share advanced to $2.56 from $0.54 a year ago.
In the quarter, the company returned a total of $272 million to shareholders through dividends of $199 million and stock repurchases of $73 million.
Same store sales in the quarter declined 0.8%, compared to an increase of 0.5% a year ago.
In fiscal 2026, the company returned a total of $1.07 billion to shareholders through dividends of $801 million and share repurchases of $273 million.
The company expects to repurchase stocks worth $300 million in the fiscal year 2027.
The company increased its quarterly dividend by 1%, 96 cents per share, payable on April 14 to shareholders on record on March 24.
U.S. and Global Markets Plunged 3% as Energy Prices Soared 8%
Barry Adams
03 Mar, 2026
New York City
World stock indexes turned sharply lower, and crude oil prices soared after conflict in the Middle East engulfed at least eleven nations for the third day in a row.
The S&P 500 index decreased 2.2%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite dropped 2.7% as investors begin to factor in the likelihoods of a prolonged war in the Middle East.
The prices of crude oil soared 8% and natural gas jumped 7% in New York and advanced a whopping 39% in Europe.
Natural gas futures prices surpassed the 2023 high and reached €60.25 per MWh after surging almost 39% in the previous session.
Energy prices catapulted for the second consecutive day after Iran closed down the Strait of Hormuz, a transit thoroughfare for about one fifth of global oil and gas shipments.
The fears of a prolonged war dragged down market indexes in South Korea by 7%, in Japan by 3%, in Hong Kong by 1%, in India by 1%, and in Europe between 3% and 4%.
U.S. Movers
MongoDB plunged 28% to $235.37 after the database software company's current-quarter estimate fell short of market expectations.
Target Corp. jumped 4.4% to $118.51 after the retail store chain operator reported results for the fiscal fourth quarter ending on January 31.
Net sales decreased to $30.5 billion from $30.9 billion, net income fell to $1.04 billion from $1.1 billion, and diluted earnings per share eased to $2.30 from $2.41 a year ago.
The company estimated fiscal 2026 net sales to rise 2%, earnings per share to be $7.50, and adjusted earnings per share to be $8.50.
The big-box retailer added that sales and traffic picked up in the last two months of the holiday quarter, and February sales rose compared to a year ago.
The Minneapolis-based retailer did not repurchase any shares in the fourth quarter, and as of the end of the fourth quarter, the company had approximately $8.3 billion available under the repurchase program.
Plug Power Inc. jumped 13.8% to $2.06 after the hydrogen fuel cell and electrolyzer systems developer reported strong sales in the fourth quarter.
Best Buy jumped 14% to $70.57 after the electronics retailer reported better-than-expected fiscal fourth-quarter results.
U.S. and Global Markets Plunged 3% as Energy Prices Soared 8%
Barry Adams
03 Mar, 2026
New York City
World stock indexes turned sharply lower, and crude oil prices soared after conflict in the Middle East engulfed at least eleven nations for the third day in a row.
The S&P 500 index decreased 2.2%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite dropped 2.7% as investors begin to factor in the likelihoods of a prolonged war in the Middle East.
The prices of crude oil soared 8% and natural gas jumped 7% in New York and advanced a whopping 39% in Europe.
Natural gas futures prices surpassed the 2023 high and reached €60.25 per MWh after surging almost 39% in the previous session.
Energy prices catapulted for the second consecutive day after Iran closed down the Strait of Hormuz, a transit thoroughfare for about one fifth of global oil and gas shipments.
The fears of a prolonged war dragged down market indexes in South Korea by 7%, in Japan by 3%, in Hong Kong by 1%, in India by 1%, and in Europe between 3% and 4%.
U.S. Movers
MongoDB plunged 28% to $235.37 after the database software company's current-quarter estimate fell short of market expectations.
Target Corp. jumped 4.4% to $118.51 after the retail store chain operator reported results for the fiscal fourth quarter ending on January 31.
Net sales decreased to $30.5 billion from $30.9 billion, net income fell to $1.04 billion from $1.1 billion, and diluted earnings per share eased to $2.30 from $2.41 a year ago.
The company estimated fiscal 2026 net sales to rise 2%, earnings per share of $7.50, and adjusted earnings per share of $8.50.
The big-box retailer added that sales and traffic picked up in the last two months of the holiday quarter, and February sales rose compared to a year ago.
The Minneapolis-based retailer did not repurchase any shares in the fourth quarter, and as of the end of the fourth quarter, the company had approximately $8.3 billion available under the repurchase program.
Plug Power Inc. jumped 13.8% to $2.06 after the hydrogen fuel cell and electrolyzer systems developer reported strong sales in the fourth quarter.
Best Buy jumped 14% to $70.57 after the electronics retailer reported better-than-expected fiscal fourth-quarter results.
Japan's Benchmark Indexes Dropped 3%, Jobless Rate Advanced to a Five-Month High
Akira Ito
03 Mar, 2026
Tokyo
Japan's benchmark indexes plunged amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and intensifying worries of global inflation.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average plunged 3%, the broader Topix declined 2.8%, and the yen weakened to 157.31 against the U.S. dollar.
The long-running covert war between the U.S. and Iran entered a new chapter this weekend, as the joint U.S.-Israel bombings targeted more than 1,200 locations and killed top military and political leaders.
Brent crude oil prices rose 2.8% to $79.78 a barrel and extended a two-day surge by 14% after Iran effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz.
About 20% of global oil and gas transits through the narrow passage, which is largely controlled by the Iranian military and used by Asian nations for their energy supplies.
Japan's January Jobless Rate Jumped to a 5-Month High
Japan's jobless rate in January advanced to a five-month high, and the labor force shrank to a five-month low, according to the latest report from the Ministry of Internal Affairs & Communications.
The annual unemployment rate increased to 2.7% from 2.6% in the previous month, and the number of unemployed increased by 60,000 to 1.91 million.
The weakness in the jobs market was largely driven by an uncertain outlook for exports and the ongoing weakness in the small to medium manufacturing sector.
Employment fell by 290,000 to 68.2 million, while the labor force shrank by 210,000 to a five-month low of 70.1 million.
In addition, the jobs-to-applicant ratio dropped to 1.18 from December's estimate of 1.19.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average dropped 3% to 56,331.31, and the broader Topix Index decreased 2.8% to 3,789.16.
Export-driven companies led decliners in Tokyo trading for the second session in a row.
Toyota Motor decreased 6.4% to ¥3,693.0, Hitachi Ltd. declined 4.9% to ¥4,817.0, Sony Group dropped 6.3% to ¥3,373.0, and Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. fell 4.6% to ¥64,630.0.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines decreased 0.3% to ¥6,035.0, Nippon Yusen KK fell 0.3% to ¥5,585.0, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha fell 2.5% to ¥2,593.0.
Japan's Benchmark Indexes Dropped 3%, Jobless Rate Advanced to a Five-Month High
Akira Ito
03 Mar, 2026
Tokyo
Japan's benchmark indexes plunged amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and intensifying worries of global inflation.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average plunged 3%, the broader Topix declined 2.8%, and the yen weakened to 157.31 against the U.S. dollar.
The long-running covert war between the U.S. and Iran entered a new chapter this weekend, as the joint U.S.-Israel bombings targeted more than 1,200 locations and killed top military and political leaders.
Brent crude oil prices rose 2.8% to $79.78 a barrel and extended a two-day surge by 14% after Iran effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz.
About 20% of global oil and gas transits through the narrow passage, which is largely controlled by the Iranian military and used by Asian nations for their energy supplies.
Japan's January Jobless Rate Jumped to a 5-Month High
Japan's jobless rate in January advanced to a five-month high, and the labor force shrank to a five-month low, according to the latest report from the Ministry of Internal Affairs & Communications.
The annual unemployment rate increased to 2.7% from 2.6% in the previous month, and the number of unemployed increased by 60,000 to 1.91 million.
The weakness in the jobs market was largely driven by an uncertain outlook for exports and the ongoing weakness in the small to medium manufacturing sector.
Employment fell by 290,000 to 68.2 million, while the labor force shrank by 210,000 to a five-month low of 70.1 million.
In addition, the jobs-to-applicant ratio dropped to 1.18 from December's estimate of 1.19.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average dropped 3% to 56,331.31, and the broader Topix Index decreased 2.8% to 3,789.16.
Export-driven companies led decliners in Tokyo trading for the second session in a row.
Toyota Motor decreased 6.4% to ¥3,693.0, Hitachi Ltd. declined 4.9% to ¥4,817.0, Sony Group dropped 6.3% to ¥3,373.0, and Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. fell 4.6% to ¥64,630.0.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines decreased 0.3% to ¥6,035.0, Nippon Yusen KK fell 0.3% to ¥5,585.0, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha fell 2.5% to ¥2,593.0.
China Markets Lacked Direction US-Iran War Engulfs Eleven Nations
Li Chen
03 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong
Stock markets in China, Hong Kong, and Asia extended losses for the second consecutive session amid worries of a prolonged and wider conflict in the Middle East.
The Hang Seng Index inched lower 0.1%, the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index declined 0.3%, and the benchmark indexes in Tokyo and Seoul fell between 1% and 2%.
Global market sentiment was weak as Iran's military vowed to not buckle under pressure and intensified its attack on military bases in the UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
At least eleven countries are involved in the Middle East war after the U.S. and Israel conducted joint strikes on Iran.
The price of Brent crude oil advanced nearly 2% and hovered above $79 a barrel, and gold edged up 1% to $5,362 an ounce.
Despite two down days in Asia-wide trading this week, stock prices have been resilient, and global markets have looked beyond the latest conflict in the Middle East and an unprovoked attack on Iran.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index inched lower 0.1% to 26,050.43, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index decreased 0.3% to 4,718.0.
Shipping companies advanced for the second day in a row as the conflict in the Middle East widened to include eleven nations.
COSCO Shipping Holdings advanced 4.1% to HK $16.12; China Merchants Port Holdings decreased 0.1% to HK $17.22; and Orient Overseas International inched up 0.03% to HK $157.60.
Zijin Mining Group declined 4.4% to HK $44.06, Zijin Gold International dropped 5.6% to HK $230.40, and Laopu Gold fell 6% to HK $684.50.
China Markets Lacked Direction US-Iran War Engulfs Eleven Nations
Li Chen
03 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong
Stock markets in China, Hong Kong, and Asia extended losses for the second consecutive session amid worries of a prolonged and wider conflict in the Middle East.
The Hang Seng Index inched lower 0.1%, the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index declined 0.3%, and the benchmark indexes in Tokyo and Seoul fell between 1% and 2%.
Global market sentiment was weak as Iran's military vowed to not buckle under pressure and intensified its attack on military bases in the UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
At least eleven countries are involved in the Middle East war after the U.S. and Israel conducted joint strikes on Iran.
The price of Brent crude oil advanced nearly 2% and hovered above $79 a barrel, and gold edged up 1% to $5,362 an ounce.
Despite two down days in Asia-wide trading this week, stock prices have been resilient, and global markets have looked beyond the latest conflict in the Middle East and an unprovoked attack on Iran.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index inched lower 0.1% to 26,050.43, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index decreased 0.3% to 4,718.0.
Shipping companies advanced for the second day in a row as the conflict in the Middle East widened to include eleven nations.
COSCO Shipping Holdings advanced 4.1% to HK $16.12; China Merchants Port Holdings decreased 0.1% to HK $17.22; and Orient Overseas International inched up 0.03% to HK $157.60.
Zijin Mining Group declined 4.4% to HK $44.06, Zijin Gold International dropped 5.6% to HK $230.40, and Laopu Gold fell 6% to HK $684.50.
Global Markets Rattled and Energy Prices Soared After U.S. Attacked Iran
Barry Adams
02 Mar, 2026
New York City
Stock market indexes around the world declined, crude oil surged, and gold jumped as the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran over the weekend.
The unprovoked strikes rattled global sentiment, and crude oil prices jumped as much as 7% and natural gas prices soared more than 20% in Europe amid rising fears of supply disruptions.
Benchmark indexes in Japan, India, and Hong Kong dropped between 1% and 2%, and in Europe, they fell more than 1% as investors avoided riskier assets.
The killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over the weekend raised stakes too high in the region, and Iran stepped up its attacks on the U.S. military bases in the UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
The fears of prolonged conflict in the Middle East engulfing a wider list of nations kept stock markets on edge and drove oil and gas prices higher around the world.
U.S. Movers
A sustained closure of the Strait of Hormuz could ripple through global oil markets and stoke inflationary forces worldwide.
Exxon Mobil gained 3.8% to $158.11, Chevron Corp. advanced 3.5% to $193.40, BP PLC increased 0.4% to $39.03, and TotalEnergies SE edged up 0.9% to $81.06, and ConocoPhillips jumped 2.4% to $119.40.
Global Markets Rattled and Energy Prices Soared After U.S. Attacked Iran
Barry Adams
02 Mar, 2026
New York City
Stock market indexes around the world declined, crude oil surged, and gold jumped as the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran over the weekend.
The unprovoked strikes rattled global sentiment, and crude oil prices jumped as much as 7% and natural gas prices soared more than 20% in Europe amid rising fears of supply disruptions.
Benchmark indexes in Japan, India, and Hong Kong dropped between 1% and 2%, and in Europe, they fell more than 1% as investors avoided riskier assets.
The killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over the weekend raised stakes too high in the region, and Iran stepped up its attacks on the U.S. military bases in the UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
The fears of prolonged conflict in the Middle East engulfing a wider list of nations kept stock markets on edge and drove oil and gas prices higher around the world.
U.S. Movers
A sustained closure of the Strait of Hormuz could ripple through global oil markets and stoke inflationary forces worldwide.
Exxon Mobil gained 3.8% to $158.11, Chevron Corp. advanced 3.5% to $193.40, BP PLC increased 0.4% to $39.03, and TotalEnergies SE edged up 0.9% to $81.06, and ConocoPhillips jumped 2.4% to $119.40.
China and Hong Kong Indexes Faced Selling Pressure After Tensions Flared Up In the Middle East
Li Chen
02 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong
Financial markets in China and Asia turned volatile after the U.S. and Israel attacked targets in Iran and killed several political leaders.
The Hang Seng Index decreased 2% and dropped as much as 2.8% in early trading as investors reacted for the first time to the attacks on Iran.
Broader market averages in mainland China rebounded to close higher amid a recovering sentiment, despite Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz for oil cargo transit.
Brent crude jumped as much as 14% to $82.35 before settling 7% at $79.46 in Shanghai trading as traders digested the latest developments in the Middle East.
The worries of prolonged global energy supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, through which one fifth of the global crude oil and gas supply transits, stoked crude oil prices higher.
Gold gained 2.3% to $5,402.52 an ounce as investors sought safe-haven assets amid rising geopolitical tensions.
In a retaliatory strike, Iran attacked U.S. military bases in Qatar, UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq.
The global risk-aversion sentiment was further enhanced amid ongoing worries about the potential artificial intelligence-driven disruption spreading to wider segments of the global economy.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 2% to 26,092.84, and the CSI 300 increased 0.4% to 4,727.09.
Shipping companies traded higher in Hong Kong after freight rates jumped, reflecting elevated tensions in the Middle East.
COSCO Shipping Holdings advanced 1.7% to HK $15.44; China Merchants Port Holdings decreased 1.8% to HK $17.17; and Orient Overseas International advanced 2.5% to HK $153.50.