Asian markets traded mostly lower in early deals on Monday, saddled by rising inflation with the surging energy costs, bets on tighter monetary policies by central banks, and rising bond yield notes. Ongoing uncertainty regarding US trade tariffs and intensified geopolitical concerns in the Middle East dulled investor sentiments. Softer-than-expected economic activity and industrial data from mainland China also pressured local indices. Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite plunged to the weakest level since mid-2025.
Nikkei down by 469.29 points or 0.76% to 60,940.00, Straits Times dipped by 21.83 points 0.44% to 4,967.25, Hang Seng declined by 343.73 points 1.34% to 25,619.00, Taiwan weighted tumbled by 435.96 points or 1.06% to 40,736.40, Shanghai Composite decreased by 9.04 points or 0.22% to 4,126.35, Jakarta Composite plunged by 288.04 points or 4.28% to 6,435.28, and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI index down by 6.84 points or 0.39% to 1,733.38.
On the flip side, KOSPI Index up by 65.23 points or 0.87% to 7,558.41
