Asian stock markets displayed mixed results on Monday amid ongoing volatility in technology shares and a decline in oil prices. This market movement follows the decision by US President Donald Trump to suspend certain sanctions against Russia, including those affecting its energy sector.
In South Korea, the Kospi index rose by 1.8%, recovering some of the losses from the previous week. Meanwhile, Japan’s Nikkei 225 experienced a 0.6% drop. China’s Shanghai Composite saw a 0.4% increase after reporting better-than-expected economic growth of 4.5% for the third quarter. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 also gained 0.4%, whereas Taiwan’s Taiex decreased by 0.6%, and India’s Sensex fell by 0.9%. Hong Kong’s stock market was closed for a holiday.
Technology stocks continued to face pressure, raising concerns about the sustainability of the artificial intelligence boom. In South Korea, chipmakers such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix achieved modest gains, but Japanese tech firms, including Tokyo Electron and SoftBank Group, saw declines.
Investors are keeping a close eye on upcoming earnings reports from major US companies like Meta, Netflix, Tesla, General Motors, and IBM. Recent losses in the technology sector have increased uncertainty across global equity markets.
Oil prices dropped more than 2% after Trump’s postponement of new US sanctions against Russia. Brent crude fell by 2.5% to $107.16 per barrel, while US crude decreased by 2.2% to $96.84. Despite this decline, oil prices remain high compared to pre-Iran war levels. Ongoing tensions in the Middle East and uncertainties over shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz continue to raise concerns about global energy supplies.
In the US, Treasury yields eased slightly as investors evaluated inflation risks, government debt, and the broader financial outlook. The market movements this week are expected to be influenced by corporate earnings, energy prices, and geopolitical developments.