ASX, Nikkei, Kospi, Hang Seng, CSI 300, Sensex, oil
Oil prices rose in Asian trading on Tuesday as concerns grew about supply disruptions as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated.
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Asia-Pacific markets are set to open lower on Thursday, tracking Wall Street’s losses as tensions between Iran and the United States keep oil prices high and raise energy and inflation concerns.
Kuwait International Airport was hit by Iran early Wednesday, just a day after U.S. Central Command announced it had carried out the attack. defeated multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and launched “self-defense attacks” against Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf, alongside unmanned aerial vehicles. It was stated that this was a response to Tehran’s “attack attempt”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an exclusive interview with CNBC that Israel and the United States are ready to strike Iran again if necessary.
Netanyahu said, “Israel is ready and the US forces are also ready. I think Iran needs to take this into account. I think they are taking it into account, but they are playing with fire.”
West Texas Intermediate futures closed up more than 2% at $96.02 on Wednesday, while international benchmark Brent crude rose nearly 2% to settle at $97.81 a barrel.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index was poised to fall after reaching a record high on Wednesday, with the Chicago futures contract last trading at 67,555 and its Osaka counterpart last trading at 68,130, compared with the index’s previous close of 68,402.13.
Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures settled at 25,312, below the index’s last close of 25,633.21.
Futures in Australia were last traded at 8,734 points, while the S&P/ASX 200 index closed at 8,785.70 points.
