Asian markets settled lower on Monday as surging crude oil prices above $100 per barrel for the first time since 2022 fuelled inflation concerns and further dimmed the prospects for near-term reductions in US interest rates. Meanwhile, major Middle Eastern oil producers cut output, and shipments through the Strait of Hormuz remain halted. Further, sentiments remained weak as the US-Israel war with Iran entered its second week with no clear resolution. Chinese shares dropped after the release of mixed inflation data, with China's consumer prices (CPI) rising 1.3% year-on-year in February, while the country's producer prices (PPI) fell 0.9% year-on-year.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 4,096.60 | -27.59 | -0.67 |
| Hang Seng | 25,408.46 | -348.83 | -1.38 |
| Jakarta Composite | 7,337.37 | -248.32 | -3.27 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,674.17 | -43.89 | -2.55 |
| Nikkei 225 | 52,728.72 | -2,892.12 | -5.20 |
| Straits Times | 4,756.61 | -91.64 | -1.89 |
| KOSPI Composite | 5,251.87 | -333.00 | -5.96 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 32,110.42 | -1,489.12 | -4.43 |
