Asia-Pacific markets decline as U.S. bombing of Iran escalates Middle East crisis
Fire and smoke rise into the sky after an Israeli attack on the Shahran oil depot on June 15, 2025 in Tehran, Iran.
Getty Images | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Asia-Pacific markets declined Monday, after the United States' attack on three nuclear sites in Iran raised oil prices and investors' fears of an escalation in the Middle East conflict.
Oil prices have spiked in recent weeks following the increased tensions in the Middle East.
Brent Crude was trading at $78.66 per barrel after surging 2.14%, as of 9.43 a.m. Singapore time, while the West Texas Intermediate crude added 2.23% to $75.47.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 0.56%, while the broader Topix index declined 0.49%.
In South Korea, the Kospi index lost 1.05%, while the small-cap Kosdaq plunged 1.78%.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index moved down 0.58% in early trade, while mainland China's CSI 300 index declined 0.4%.
Over in Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 sank 0.76%.
— CNBC's Lisa Kailan Han, Sean Conlon, Brian Evans contributed to this report.
Travel-related stocks fall on escalating Middle East tensions
Shares of travel-related stocks in Asia-Pacific extended their declines Monday following a surge in oil prices after the U.S.' strike on Iran over the weekend, as well as fears of supply disruption from the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Straits are a critical chokepoint for about a fifth of the world's oil.
Losses in Japan were seen in Japan Airlines, which was down 1.35% and ANA Holdings which lost 1%, as of 10.50 a.m. Singapore time. ANA Holdings is the parent company of several airlines, including All Nippon Airways, Air Japan and Peach Aviation.
Other air carriers in Asia-Pacific were also trading in negative territory, with Australia's Qantas Airways down 2.09% and South Korea's Asiana Airlines down 1.75%. Hong Kong-listed Air China and Cathay Pacific Airways had also fallen 1.48% and 0.2% respectively.
Losses were also seen in other travel-related companies such as South Korean tour operators Lotte Tour Development which plunged 4.34%, Modetour Network which was down 2.31% and Hana Tour which had lost 2.35%.
— Amala Balakrishner
Asia-Pacific currencies weaken against the greenback
Asia-Pacific currencies depreciated against the greenback on Monday as investors assessed the impact of the escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The Japanese yen, which is traditionally viewed as a safe asset during times of tumult, weakened 0.31% against the dollar to 146.52.
China's offshore yuan depreciated 0.15% to 7.1883 against the dollar, while the Taiwanese dollar weakened 0.28% to 29.657.
The South Korean won, similarly depreciated 0.45% against the dollar to 1,380.20. The country's acting finance minister Lee Hyoung-il reportedly said earlier in the day that the government would closely monitor financial markets and energy supplies and respond if needed.
Meanwhile, Australian dollar strengthened 0.36% to 0.6425.
Elsewhere in Southeast Asia, the Singapore dollar depreciated 0.12% against the greenback to 1.2890, while the Philippine peso weakened by 0.78% to 57.573, after hitting its lowest level since Apr. 9 earlier in the session.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian ringgit weakened by 0.64% to 4.2779 against the greenback, while the Indonesian rupiah depreciated by 0.46% to 16,455, after falling to its lowest level since May 19 earlier in the session. The Thai baht weakened 0.49% to 32.95.
The U.S. dollar index, which measures the currency against six major rivals, had gained 0.26% to 98.969 as of 10.18 a.m. Singapore time.
— Amala Balakrishner
Oil extends gains as investors keep a close watch on Israel-Iran tensions
Oil prices continued to rise Monday as investors kept a close watch on Israel-Iran tensions after the U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear sites.
Brent Crude was trading at $79.08 per barrel after rising 2.69%, as of 9.25 a.m. Singapore time.
Brent crude
Meanwhile, the West Texas Intermediate crude added 2.74% to $75.85.
Both contracts had jumped by more than 3% earlier in the session to $81.40 and $78.40, respectively, to hit their highest levels since January, before paring some gains.
— Amala Balakrishner
South Korean stocks fall over 1%
South Korean stocks fell Monday, as Asia-Pacific markets logged declines.
As of 10.15 a.m. local time, the Kospi index had dropped 1.09%, reversing course from gains in its previous five sessions and its 42-month high close last Friday.
KOSPI index
Meanwhile, the small-cap Kosdaq index was last seen trading down 1.89%.
Among the index heavyweights, LG Energy Solution had plunged 4.59%, while LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix had lost 3.11%, 2.94% and 1.95% respectively.
— Amala Balakrishner
Tech stocks lead losses on Japan's Nikkei 225 benchmark
Japanese tech stocks declined sharply on Monday and were among the worst performers on the Nikkei 225 share average.
The 225-stock index extended its losses for the third consecutive session, and was down 0.51% as of 10 a.m. local time.
Advantest shares
The worst performing stocks on the index were semiconductor manufacturer Screen Holdings, which plunged 4.78%, Lasertec Corp, which declined 4.31% and Disco Corp, which declined 3.38%.
Meanwhile, shares of tech giants Advantest and Softbank were last seen down 1.66% and 0.76% respectively.
— Amala Balakrishner
Auto stocks join the sell-off in Asia after U.S.' strike on Iran
Auto stocks in Asia sank Monday, in line with the wider sell-off in the region after the U.S.' strikes on Iran.
Nissan Motor and Mazda Motor led losses among Japanese automakers, plunging 2.22% and 2.17% respectively as of 8.30 a.m. Singapore time.
Other stocks that logged losses include Mitsubishi Motors, which fell 1.87%, Honda Motor, which was down 1.55% and Toyota Motor, which dropped 1.36%.
South Korea's Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp also logged sharp declines and were last seen down 4.05% and 4.15% respectively.
— Amala Balakrishner
Latest World News copy
- Oil at $100 a barrel? U.S. role in Iran-Israel fight fuels market jittersOil markets are entering a new phase of uncertainty after the U.S. entered the war between Iran and Israel, said industry watchers.
- Why global markets are brushing off U.S. strikes on IranInvestors are largely shrugging off escalations in the Middle East, with many strategists believing the conflict to be contained.
- U.S. calls on China to prevent Iran from closing Strait of Hormuz and disrupting global oil flowsIran's foreign minister warned earlier Sunday that the Islamic Republic "reserves all options to defend its sovereignty" after U.S. airstrikes.
- Trump calls 'obliteration' an accurate description of damage to Iran's nuclear facilitiesTrump on Sunday disputed Iranian attempts to downplay the strikes on its nuclear facilities, stressing that "obliteration" was an accurate description.
- Satellite images show activity at Iran's Fordo nuclear facility before U.S. air strikesMaxar Technologies released satellite imagery on Sunday showing activity at Iran's Fordo nuclear facility prior to U.S. air strikes.
- CNBC Daily Open: Have Trump's strikes on Iran bolstered or eroded his credibility?The United States on Saturday conducted air strikes on three of Iran's nuclear sites, joining Israel's war against Tehran. The timing was unexpected.