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Asian markets trade mostly lower in early deals on Thursday
Mar-19-2026
Asian markets traded mostly lower in early deals on Thursday, due to risk aversion with the soaring crude oil rates amidst escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Tensions in the Middle East intensified as strikes on the UAE’s energy infrastructure spooked concerns over long-term supply outages. In a further escalation, Iran launched missile attacks on a major Qatari LNG site - the world's largest, retaliating for an Israeli strike on the South Pars gas field. The Federal Reserve’s decision to keep rates steady further pressured the sentiments, as investors evaluated the inflationary risks posed by rising oil prices. Stock market of Indonesia remained closed for Hindu Saka New Year. 

Nikkei plunged by 1,810.40 points or 3.28% to 53,429.00, Straits Times lower by 22.08 points or 0.44% to 4,980.09, Hang Seng tumbled by 506.42 points 1.95% to 25,519.00, Taiwan weighted trimmed by 581.73 points or 1.69% to 33,766.85, KOSPI Index narrowed by 153.83 points or 2.60% to 5,771.20, and Shanghai Composite curtailed by 50.18 points or 1.24% to 4,012.80.

On the flip side, FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI index increased by 3.70 points or 0.21% to 1,733.51.
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