Fire and smoke rise into the sky after an Israeli attack on the Shahran oil depot on June 15, 2025 in Tehran, Iran.
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Asia-Pacific markets plunged 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 $79.06 per barrel after surging 2.66%, as of 9.10 a.m. Singapore time, while the West Texas Intermediate crude added 2.75% to $75.87.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 0.56%, while the broader Topix index declined 0.49%.
In South Korea, the Kospi index lost 1.0%5, while the small-cap Kosdaq plunged 1.78%.
Over in Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 sank 0.76%.
Futures for Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index stood at 23,396, pointing to a weaker open compared to the HSI’s last close of 23,530.48.
— CNBC’s Lisa Kailan Han, Sean Conlon, Brian Evans contributed to this report.
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
