New York, 2 October 2026 – Asian equity markets were set for a cautious opening as oil climbed on the possibility of renewed conflict between the United States and Iran, while investors assessed whether a recovery in US Treasuries could hold. Futures pointed to losses in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, although Australian contracts edged higher, showing that regional risk appetite was not moving uniformly.
Brent crude had risen more than 4% to regain US$100 a barrel, and US crude advanced in early Asian trading. That move matters for the region because higher energy costs can feed into transport, manufacturing and household prices. For energy importers, a prolonged rise can also weaken trade balances and complicate monetary policy. Energy producers may gain revenue, but the benefit is uneven across economies and companies.
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