Asian markets ended mostly higher on Monday tracking Wall Street’s gains last Friday after sluggish US jobs data helped reduce the chances of a Federal Reserve rate hike next month, while investors globally looked ahead to Wednesday's crucial US Consumer Price Index inflation data. Although some regional gains were limited after Iran warned that it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz unless the United States meets a series of conditions, denting hopes for a return to stability in global energy markets.
Chinese and Hong Kong shares gained as signs of persistent deflationary pressures in China reinforced expectations of continued policy support for the economy. Data showed that, China's consumer price index rose 0.5% year-on-year in July, below forecasts for 0.8% growth following June's 1% gain. Producer price growth slowed to 3.5% from 4.1% in the previous month. South Korea’s Kospi rose after President Lee Jae Myung urged the government to accelerate AI-related investment projects, including a semiconductor cluster backed by a combined 800 trillion won investment commitment from Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. Japanese shares surged, while the yen steadied after the Bank of Japan's July 2026 Summary of Opinions revealed a divided board regarding the pace of future interest rate hikes. Meanwhile, Singapore market was closed in observation of Singapore's National Day.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 3,966.59 | 26.56 | 0.67 |
| Hang Seng | 25,937.49 | 269.46 | 1.05 |
| Jakarta Composite | 6,365.37 | -44.28 | -0.70 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,735.37 | -0.38 | -0.02 |
| Nikkei 225 | 66,970.22 | 1,363.51 | 2.08 |
| Straits Times | -- | -- | -- |
| KOSPI Composite | 6,299.66 | 40.89 | 0.65 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 44,928.76 | 702.85 | 1.59 |
