On Monday (12 October, 9:24 AM, GMT+7, Bangkok time), major indices in the Asia-Pacific delivered a mixed performance as investors monitored developments involving the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi group, and considered the possible consequences for global energy supplies.
Fresh concerns about the direction of energy prices emerged after President Donald Trump signaled the possibility of U.S. involvement alongside Saudi Arabia in response to renewed Houthi attacks, including a recent incident at Riyadh’s international airport.
Attention also turned to the third-quarter corporate earnings season, which many investors view as a critical factor in determining whether stocks can withstand continued volatility from Middle East tensions. Projections compiled by FactSet indicate that S&P 500 companies are expected to post earnings growth of 29.6% for the quarter—potentially marking a fourth consecutive quarter of gains exceeding 25%, supported primarily by strength in AI data center investment.
Meanwhile, markets are awaiting key U.S. inflation reports, with September’s consumer price index and producer price index scheduled for release mid-week. Upcoming comments from Fed Chair Kevin Warsh are also in focus, as traders look for clues regarding the likely trajectory of interest rates.
Notably, markets in Japan were closed due to a holiday.
South Korea’s KOSPI lost 2.23% to 6,478.02, and Australia’s ASX 200 surged 0.78% to 8,784.30.
Shanghai’s SSEC declined by 0.28% to 3,803.23. Shenzhen’s SZI plummeted by 1.14% to 12,497.63, while Hong Kong’s HSI increased by 0.55% to 24,344.98.
The U.S. stock markets edged up on Friday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) rose by 0.83% to 51,654.95. NASDAQ grew by 0.64% to 27,366.17, and S&P 500 gained 0.59% to 7,811.54. VIX slumped by 3.70% to 14.84.
As for commodities, oil prices settled higher on Friday as Hurricane Isaias advanced toward the northern Gulf of Mexico, prompting oil producers to suspend over 70% of offshore U.S. crude output. Brent crude posted an increase of 44 cents, or 0.42%, settling at $104.72 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude concluded the day at $91.85 per barrel, registering a gain of 36 cents, or 0.39%.
The benchmarks, however, retreated on Monday, amid expectations for a rise in Russian crude supplies. This followed remarks from Donald Trump, who indicated that Ukraine and Russia had reached an understanding to pause attacks on one another’s energy infrastructure after the United States finalized a diesel supply agreement with Moscow. Brent futures fell $1.70, or 1.62%, to $103.02 per barrel, and WTI futures contracted $1.72, or 1.87%, to $90.13 per barrel.
Meanwhile, gold futures advanced by 0.52% to $4,238.20 per Troy ounce.
