Business · Markets · 3 hrs ago
Asian Markets Open Mixed as Investors Watch Middle East Tensions and US Earnings
Asian markets opened mixed on Monday, October 12, as investors weighed tensions in the Middle East and the coming US earnings season.
South Korea’s Kospi fell 1.34%, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.61%, and Japan’s market was closed for a holiday.
US President Donald Trump said he was considering joining Saudi Arabia in fighting Yemen’s Houthi group, which is backed by Tehran, after a deadly attack at Riyadh’s international airport.
The renewed tensions have raised concerns about energy prices, with Brent crude trading above $104 a barrel.
Investors are also watching results from major US banks this week and US inflation figures due Wednesday and Thursday.
S&P 500 companies are forecast to post 29.6% earnings growth for the third quarter, but investors are expected to focus on what company leaders say about future business conditions.
Higher fuel and borrowing costs could squeeze company profits and make it harder for consumers to spend.
Asian markets opened mixed on Monday as investors assessed Middle East tensions and the outlook for the third-quarter earnings season.
South Korea’s Kospi fell 1.34%, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.61%; Japan’s market was closed for a holiday.
Investors’ concerns about energy prices grew after US President Donald Trump said he was considering joining Saudi Arabia in fighting Yemen’s Houthi group.
FactSet’s John Butters projected 29.6% earnings growth for the S&P 500 in the third quarter.
Investors were also watching for US inflation data and earnings reports from major banks due during the week.
- Who
- Asian investors and stock markets.
- What
- Asian markets opened mixed as investors weighed Middle East tensions and the US earnings outlook.
- When
- Monday, October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Asian markets, including South Korea and Australia; Japan’s market was closed.
- Why
- Investors were assessing geopolitical tensions, energy prices and the coming US earnings season.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
US President Donald Trump told reporters he was considering joining Saudi Arabia in fighting Yemen’s Houthi group.
Asian markets opened mixed, with South Korea’s Kospi down and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 up.
US consumer price index data for September was scheduled for release.
US producer price index data for September was scheduled for release.
- South Korea
- Kospi fell 1.34%
- Australia
- S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.61%
- S&P 500 earnings forecast
- 29.6% growth in the third quarter, according to FactSet’s John Butters
- Brent crude
- Traded above US$104 per barrel
- US bank earnings
- Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo were scheduled to report during the week
Sources
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