Asian Stocks Rise as Oil Falls, Fed and Big Tech Earnings Take Center Stage

Most Asian stock markets traded higher on Monday as easing tensions in the Middle East and a sharp decline in oil prices lifted investor sentiment ahead of a crucial week for global financial markets. Investors are closely watching upcoming central bank meetings and earnings reports from major U.S. technology companies for clues on the outlook for interest rates and artificial intelligence-driven growth.

Regional markets received additional support after U.S. stock futures advanced, with Nasdaq 100 futures climbing 1.2% and S&P 500 futures gaining 0.7% during Asian trading. Lower Brent crude prices, driven by an apparent pause in U.S.-Iran hostilities, also eased inflation concerns ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy decision on Wednesday.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 led regional gains with a 1.1% increase, while Japan’s TOPIX rose 1% and the Nikkei 225 added 0.4%. In Greater China, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng advanced 0.7%, the Shanghai Composite gained 0.4%, and the CSI 300 edged up 0.3%.

Chinese markets were supported by strong performances from technology and battery stocks. Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) rallied after posting stronger first-half earnings and unveiling a new share buyback program. Meanwhile, memory chipmaker CXMT surged more than 500% in its Shanghai trading debut, highlighting continued investor enthusiasm for China’s semiconductor industry despite ongoing U.S. export restrictions.

South Korea’s KOSPI slipped 1%, making it the weakest major market in the region. However, Naver jumped nearly 8% after announcing that Nvidia would invest $1 billion through newly issued shares as part of a partnership to develop an artificial intelligence data center.

Investor attention now shifts to this week’s Federal Reserve meeting, followed by policy decisions from the Bank of England and the Bank of Japan. Markets are also awaiting earnings from Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and Meta Platforms, which are expected to provide fresh insight into AI spending and technology sector valuations.

Elsewhere, Singapore’s Straits Times Index edged higher after the Monetary Authority of Singapore unexpectedly tightened monetary policy. Indonesia’s benchmark index gained as investors assessed the resignation of Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo, while Malaysia and the Philippines advanced. Thailand ended lower, and New Zealand posted modest gains, reflecting generally positive sentiment across Asian equity markets.