Global Markets:
- Asian Stock Markets : Nikkei down 1.65%, Shanghai Composite down 0.43% Hang Seng down 1.49% ASX down 1.33%
- Commodities : Gold at $4,488.00 (0.47%) Silver at $73.575 (-0.16%), Brent Oil at $96.98 (-0.85%), WTI Oil at $95.32 (-0.73%)
- Rates : US 10-year yield at 4.485, UK 10-year yield at 4.9380, Germany 10-year yield at 3.0367
News & Data:
- (USD) ADP Non-Farm Employment Change 122K to 118K expected
Markets Update:
Asia-Pacific markets declined on Thursday, mirroring overnight losses on Wall Street as escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran pushed oil prices higher and renewed concerns over inflation and energy costs.
Iran reportedly struck Kuwait International Airport early Wednesday, a day after U.S. Central Command said it had intercepted multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones and carried out self-defense strikes on Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf. The U.S. said the actions were taken in response to attempted attacks by Tehran.
In an exclusive CNBC interview, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that both Israel and the United States remain prepared to launch further military action against Iran if necessary. He said Iran should consider the readiness of both countries and cautioned that Tehran was “playing with fire.”
Oil prices climbed sharply amid the conflict. U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude rose more than 2% to settle at $96.02 per barrel, while Brent crude gained nearly 2% to close at $97.81.
Market sentiment weakened across the region. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.74% after reaching a record high in the previous session, while the Topix lost 1.09%. South Korea’s Kospi dropped 1.25%, though the small-cap Kosdaq surged 3.83% as trading resumed after a holiday. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 declined 1.14%, while China’s CSI 300 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.84% and 0.93%, respectively.
Upcoming Events:
- 12:30 PM GMT – USD Unemployment Claims
