Asian Markets Glitter Amid Middle East Tensions, South Korea's Kospi Soars

Asian-Pacific markets opened strongly during Tuesday’s trading session, 11 March 2026, with index gains as market participants closely monitored the impact of Middle East tensions.

World oil prices fell after surging to nearly $120 per barrel. Market participants believe that a group of nations will utilise emergency crude oil reserves to reduce disruptions caused by conflicts involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

“When energy prices surge, households spend more money on fuel and utilities and less on other things, which quietly slows consumer demand across the economy,” explained David Johnson, CEO of financial services firm Vervent, as quoted by CNBC International on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index jumped 1.36 per cent. The Topix index strengthened by 1.22 per cent.

In South Korea, the Kospi index opened with a dramatic gain of 2.52 per cent. Similarly, the Kosdaq index, comprising small-capitalisation stocks, rose 1.39 per cent.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng futures index stood at 25,936, down slightly from its previous level of 25,959.9. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index surged 0.35 per cent at the start of trading.

The US stock market, Wall Street, experienced volatility as oil prices fell and traders continued to monitor the Iran conflict.

The S&P 500 index declined 0.21 per cent, closing at 6,781.48.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average weakened by 34.29 points, or 0.07 per cent, to 47,706.51. The Nasdaq Composite rose slightly by 0.01 per cent to 22,697.10.