Asia markets trade mixed as oil eases after Trump delays planned Iran strike
Pedestrians stand in front of an electronic quotation board displaying the Nikkei Stock Average on the Tokyo Stock Exchange along a street in Tokyo on March 23, 2026. Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed
Pedestrians stand in front of an electronic quotation board displaying the Nikkei Stock Average on the Tokyo Stock Exchange along a street in Tokyo on March 23, 2026. Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Tuesday as oil prices, while elevated, eased slightly following news that President Donald Trump was postponing a scheduled attack on Iran. International benchmark Brent crude futures for July delivery fell 1.3% to trade at $110.60 per barrel as of 4:25 a.m.
West Texas Intermediate futures declined 0.06% to $108.59 per barrel Investors were assessing Japan's first-quarter GDP data, which showed the economy grew at an annualized 2.1% in the first three months of the year. The growth was sharply higher than the Reuters-polled analysts' average estimate of 1.7%, and against the 1.3% in the previous quarter. These figures do not capture the full impact of the Iran war, which started at the end of February. Japan's Nikkei 225 gave up early gains and closed 0.44% lower at 60,550.59. A summit meeting between Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung later today will also be in focus. South Korea's Kospi extended its early losses, falling over 3% to 7,271.66. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 ended the session 1.17% higher to 8,604.70. Mainland China's CSI 300 index rose 0.4% to 4,852.88 while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index added 0.48% to 25,797.85. Shares of companies affiliated with Gautam Adani rose after the U.S. dropped fraud charges against the Indian billionaire. Adani Enterprises rose 1.79% while Adani Green added 1.81%. Trump said in a Truth Social post that U.S.
Key points
- West Texas Intermediate futures declined 0.06% to $108.59 per barrel Investors were assessing Japan's first-quarter GDP data, which showed the economy grew at an annualized 2.1% in the first three…
- The growth was sharply higher than the Reuters-polled analysts' average estimate of 1.7%, and against the 1.3% in the previous quarter.
- These figures do not capture the full impact of the Iran war, which started at the end of February.
- Japan's Nikkei 225 gave up early gains and closed 0.44% lower at 60,550.59.
- A summit meeting between Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung later today will also be in focus.
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by CNBC.
