Asian shares trade mixed and Kospi falls nearly 4% as oil prices keep swinging – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Pixabay)
Tokyo – Uncertainty over the Iran conflict kept traders on edge Tuesday, producing a patchwork of gains and losses across major Asian indexes. The swings in energy prices added fresh pressure on economies heavily dependent on imported crude, while investors weighed the latest corporate earnings and policy signals from Washington. Markets opened with modest optimism in some centers before the broader caution took hold.
Regional Indexes Show Divergent Paths
Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.6 percent to 60,433.79 after an early rebound faded. The decline came even as official data showed the economy expanding for a second straight quarter, supported by stronger consumer spending than analysts had projected. South Korea’s Kospi fell sharply, dropping more than 4 percent at one point before settling 3.5 percent lower at 7,249.73. Technology names led the retreat, with Samsung Electronics down 3.8 percent and SK Hynix off 4 percent. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.9 percent to 8,582.80, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.5 percent to 25,811.28. The Shanghai Composite eased 0.3 percent to 4,121.11.
Energy Prices Add Fresh Pressure
Benchmark U.S. crude fell $1.36 to settle at $103.02 a barrel. Brent crude, the global benchmark, dropped $1.99 to $110.11. Both contracts have moved sharply in recent sessions as questions linger over how long the Strait of Hormuz will remain effectively closed to tankers. Japan relies almost entirely on imported oil, much of it previously routed through the strait. The price of Brent crude stood near $70 a barrel before the conflict began. Recent comments from President Donald Trump about pausing a planned military strike in favor of negotiations have added another layer of volatility to the market.
| Index | Change | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Nikkei 225 | -0.6% | 60,433.79 |
| Kospi | -3.5% | 7,249.73 |
| S&P/ASX 200 | +0.9% | 8,582.80 |
| Hang Seng | +0.5% | 25,811.28 |
Wall Street Context and Corporate Watch
U.S. markets closed mixed on Monday, with the S&P 500 down 0.1 percent at 7,403.05 and the Nasdaq composite off 0.5 percent at 26,090.73. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged 0.3 percent higher to 49,686.12. Delta Air Lines ended essentially flat after trading in both directions during the session. The airline received an early lift from news that Berkshire Hathaway had purchased more than $2.6 billion of its shares. Attention now turns to Nvidia’s quarterly results, scheduled for release Wednesday. Target, Home Depot and Walmart are also set to report earnings this week. The 10-year Treasury yield finished at 4.59 percent after touching 4.63 percent earlier.
Currency Moves and Next Steps
The dollar strengthened slightly against the yen, reaching 158.96 yen. The euro traded at $1.1643. Investors continue to monitor developments in the Middle East and any further statements from Washington that could influence both oil flows and broader risk appetite.
