Hungary Industrial Output Beats Forecasts With 4.7% July Growth 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Optimism Fuels Chipmaker Surge 
Oil Prices Climb as Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Infrastructure 
ECB Set for September Rate Hike as Energy Prices Fuel Inflation 
Oil Prices Rise as Hormuz Tensions Threaten Supply 
Hormuz Shipping Slows as Iran Threats Lift Oil Risks 
Gold Prices Rise as Yen Rally Weakens Dollar 
European Stocks Flat as Iran Tensions, ECB Rate Hike Loom 
Iran Vows Tougher Response as U.S. Sanctions Squeeze Economy 
China to Inject $45 Billion Into State Financial Institutions 
China Expands Influence in Global Gold Market 
Japan GDP Growth Beats Forecast, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Bets 
South Korea GDP Surges on Chip and AI Boom 
US Stock Futures Mixed as Strong Jobs Data Boosts Fed Rate Hike Bets 
UK House Prices Fall for First Time Since 2023 
Japan, U.S. Stay Aligned on Yen as Currency Surges 
Gold Holds Near $4,400 as Fed Hike Bets Rise 
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Asian equity markets closed out March 2026 on shaky ground, with most regional indexes posting significant monthly losses as the ongoing U.S.-Israel war on Iran rattled investor confidence and disrupted energy markets. A sharp selloff in technology stocks compounded the damage across key markets.
South Korea's KOSPI was the region's worst performer in March, tumbling roughly 17% over the month and sliding 2.2% on Tuesday alone. The decline was driven by heavy selling in major chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, both of which faced growing uncertainty around long-term artificial intelligence chip demand. Despite the steep March retreat, the KOSPI remained approximately 21% higher for 2026 overall, reflecting the strong gains recorded earlier in the year.
Japan's Nikkei 225 and the broader TOPIX index followed closely behind, with monthly losses exceeding 9% and nearly 10%, respectively. Beyond the Iran conflict, Japanese markets were also weighed down by expectations of further interest rate hikes from the Bank of Japan. India's Nifty 50 shed over 9% in March, reflecting the country's vulnerability to disruptions in oil imports flowing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Chinese markets declined moderately despite encouraging economic data. The CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite each fell less than 1% on Tuesday, and both were headed for monthly losses of 6% to 7%. Positive manufacturing and non-manufacturing PMI figures for March offered little relief to investors focused on broader geopolitical risks. Australia's ASX 200 dropped around 7% in March following an interest rate increase from the Reserve Bank of Australia, while Singapore's Straits Times index was a relative bright spot, losing just 1.6%.
Sentiment across the region remained cautious, though U.S. futures rallied over 1% on reports that President Trump may consider ending the Iran conflict without a push to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — a key shipping lane for Asian energy supplies.
