The recent missile attack by Iran on Israel has raised concerns globally about a potential escalation of conflict in the region. Despite the attack causing minimal damage, it had an impact on Asian markets. Stock markets in Asia, such as Japan’s Nikkei 225 and South Korea’s Kospi index, experienced declines in response to the missile attack. However, the markets reacted with only slight losses overall.
The reaction in the Chinese markets was inconsistent, with the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong falling at times while the Shanghai stock exchange rose in the morning session. The foreign exchange market and Japanese bond market remained relatively stable, with the yen trading almost unchanged against the dollar and euro.
While there was relief that there was no immediate escalation of the conflict between Iran and Israel, experts warn that the situation in the region has become more dangerous. The potential for a direct confrontation is deemed plausible, although not imminent.
The impact of the missile attack was reflected in the performance of individual sectors, with some industries experiencing sharper declines than others. Car manufacturers and engineering companies fell more sharply, while shipping companies like Mitsui and Yusen saw a slight uptick as investors hoped for increased profits.
Overall, the markets showed resilience in the face of the missile attack, with minimal disruptions in trading and modest losses in key indices. Despite concerns about a potential escalation of conflict, the broader financial markets remained relatively stable in the aftermath of the attack.