Asian stock markets displayed mixed results on Monday amid ongoing volatility in technology shares and a decline in oil prices following US President Donald Trump’s decision to delay certain sanctions against Russia’s energy sector. South Korea’s Kospi index saw a gain of 1.8%, recovering from previous losses, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 experienced a decline of 0.6%. China’s Shanghai Composite increased by 0.4% after reporting economic growth of 4.5% for the July–September quarter, exceeding expectations. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 also rose 0.4%, whereas Taiwan’s Taiex and India’s Sensex fell by 0.6% and 0.9% respectively. Hong Kong’s stock market was closed due to a holiday.
Technology stocks continued to face pressure as investors expressed concerns over the sustainability of the artificial intelligence boom. South Korean chipmakers like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix posted modest gains, while Japanese tech companies, including Tokyo Electron and SoftBank Group, suffered losses. The market is closely monitoring upcoming earnings reports from major US companies such as Meta, Netflix, Tesla, General Motors, and IBM, as recent losses in the tech sector have heightened uncertainty in global equity markets.
Oil prices dropped more than 2% after President Trump postponed new sanctions against Russia. Brent crude fell by 2.5% to $107.16 per barrel, and US crude declined by 2.2% to $96.84. Despite this decrease, oil prices remain high compared to pre-Iran war levels, with ongoing tensions in the Middle East and concerns about shipping through the Strait of Hormuz continuing to influence global energy supply apprehensions.
In the bond markets, US Treasury yields eased slightly as investors weighed inflation risks, government debt levels, and the broader financial market outlook. This week’s market movements are expected to be shaped by corporate earnings, energy prices, and developments in geopolitical tensions.