Asian stocks slide as Brent holds above $100
Asian stocks fell on Thursday as the biggest wave of shipping attacks in the widening Middle East war kept oil above $100 a barrel. Investors stayed nervous ahead of U.S. inflation data that will influence monetary policy.
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2%, or 300 points, to around 24,970 on Thursday, as escalating Middle East tensions and surging oil prices weighed on investor sentiment. Brent crude extended its rally above US$100 a barrel after Iran said it was prepared for a more intense conflict, raising concerns over disruptions to energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz. 86%, its highest level since November 2023, while Wall Street stocks fell for a third straight session. Investors remained cautious ahead of key US inflation data that could influence the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate outlook.
AI Co. 0%). Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s technology sector continued to attract investor interest amid a strong IPO pipeline, with AI startup Moonshot having confidentially filed for a Hong Kong listing and DeepSeek preparing for a possible domestic IPO.