Dollar Near Two-Month High as Strong U.S. Jobs Data Boosts Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
US-Iran Gulf Clash Raises Oil Market and Defense Stock Concerns 
Goldman Sachs Sees U.S. Dollar Holding Firm as Strong Economic Data Supports Outlook 
Gold Prices Hit 11-Week Low as Strong U.S. Jobs Data Dampens Rate Cut Hopes 
Gold Prices Tumble as Strong U.S. Jobs Report Fuels Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Oil Prices Surge as Iran-Israel Tensions Escalate, Raising Supply Concerns 
Asian Currencies Stabilize as Strong U.S. Jobs Data Boosts Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
UK House Prices Slip for Third Straight Month as Borrowing Costs and Iran Conflict Weigh on Demand 
Indonesia Plans Higher Asset Yields to Boost Rupiah and Restore Investor Confidence 
Canada-Indonesia Trade Pact Gains Momentum as Carney and Prabowo Discuss Economic Cooperation 
US Stock Futures Rebound as Tech Shares Recover Despite Rising Middle East Tensions 
US Weighs Using Frozen Iranian Assets to Rebuild Gulf Infrastructure After Regional Attacks 
Oil Prices Climb as Middle East Tensions Escalate and Ceasefire Prospects Fade 
Asian Stocks Decline as Investors Exit Tech Shares Ahead of U.S. Jobs Data 
Japan Q1 2026 GDP Growth Revised Lower as Weak Investment and Middle East War Pressure Economy 
Asian stock markets suffered steep losses on Monday as investors locked in profits from the booming technology and artificial intelligence sectors, while escalating tensions between Iran and Israel further weakened market sentiment. The sharp sell-off followed a weak finish on Wall Street, where major U.S. indexes declined after stronger-than-expected employment data fueled concerns that interest rates could remain elevated for longer.
South Korea’s KOSPI index emerged as the region’s biggest loser, plunging nearly 9% at one stage as heavyweight semiconductor companies came under intense selling pressure. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which have been key drivers of the market’s strong performance this year, both declined amid broader weakness in chip and AI-related stocks. However, SK Hynix limited some losses after announcing a partnership involving advanced AI chips with NVIDIA.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 also recorded significant declines, dropping more than 3% as investors reassessed valuations across the technology sector. Major technology investor SoftBank fell sharply, while semiconductor-related firms such as SUMCO and Renesas Electronics posted double-digit losses. Japan’s broader TOPIX index also moved lower after revised economic data showed first-quarter GDP growth slowing to 1.8%, below earlier estimates of 2.1%.
The downturn extended across Asia as renewed military exchanges between Iran and Israel heightened geopolitical uncertainty. The latest airstrikes weakened hopes for a lasting peace agreement and pushed oil prices higher, creating additional pressure on regional equities. Chinese markets also moved lower, with the CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite indexes posting notable losses, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index and Singapore’s Straits Times Index followed the regional decline.
Despite the broad sell-off, U.S. stock futures showed signs of stabilization during Asian trading hours, with S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures edging higher. Investors are now closely watching developments in the Middle East, movements in oil prices, and upcoming Federal Reserve decisions, all of which could influence the direction of global markets and the future of the AI-driven stock rally.
