Business · Markets · 1 hr ago
Asian stocks fall as investors weigh conflict risks and inflation data
Asian markets began the week mostly lower on October 12, while futures pointed to gains in Europe and the United States.
Seoul’s main index fell by more than 3%, led by losses in chipmakers SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics, and Taiwan’s market also declined.
Investors are weighing risks from the Middle East conflict and uncertainty over energy supplies, alongside government bond yields that have recently risen sharply.
Oil prices fell in Asia amid talk that Russia could increase diesel exports, but the US announcement of an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine was not confirmed by both sides.
This week, investors will focus on US inflation data for September, due Wednesday, ahead of the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate meeting later in October.
US bank earnings are also due to begin Tuesday, with results expected from Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan and Citigroup.
The sources say there is no expected breakthrough in the Middle East this week, so markets will continue to watch developments as the data and earnings arrive.
Asian stock markets fell as investors weighed geopolitical tensions and upcoming US inflation data.
Seoul’s market dropped more than 3%, led lower by chipmakers SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics.
Taiwan’s market also fell ahead of TSMC’s results due on Thursday, while Shanghai was weak and Hong Kong was flat.
Wall Street futures rose 0.3% to 0.4%, and European futures gained about 0.6%.
Investors were watching Wednesday’s US consumer price report before the Federal Reserve’s late-October interest-rate meeting.
- Who
- Investors and traders in Asian, European and US markets.
- What
- Asian stocks fell as investors weighed geopolitical risks and upcoming inflation data. US and European stock futures rose.
- When
- Monday, October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Asian markets, with futures also reported for Europe and the United States.
- Why
- Investors were weighing Middle East conflict risks and awaiting US inflation data. The article also cites company earnings and interest-rate expectations.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
We expect the Houthis to continue their attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure, which will support rises in oil prices and the dollar
we do not expect a breakthrough this week
US Treasury yields reached their highest levels in 24 years.
Asian markets opened the week unevenly, with Seoul down more than 3% and Wall Street and European futures higher.
Results from Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan and Citigroup were due to be published.
The US consumer price report for September was due.
US producer prices and TSMC’s results were due.
- Seoul market
- Down more than 3%
- US inflation forecast
- Headline rate of 3.6% in September, up from 3.4% in August
- US core inflation forecast
- 2.5% in September, up from 2.4% in August
- Federal Reserve rate-rise probability
- 18% for October; 85% for December
- US 10-year Treasury yield
- 5.2%
- European futures
- Up about 0.6%
Sources
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