Stock markets dive as West Asia conflict, crude oil prices continue to dent sentiment The Indian stock market experienced a sharp decline on Monday, March 23, 2026, as tensions in West Asia entered their fourth week, pushing crude oil prices higher and intensifying investor anxiety. The benchmark Sensex and Nifty indices opened sharply lower, with the 30-share BSE Sensex dropping 1,555.62 points, or 2%, to 72,977.34, while the 50-share NSE Nifty fell 479.95 points, or 2%, to 22,634.55. The downturn was exacerbated by a broader bearish trend in global equity markets and sustained outflows of foreign capital. The conflict in West Asia has become a key driver of market volatility, with Brent crude oil prices rising 0.62% to $112.9 per barrel. Analysts highlighted the growing risks of geopolitical instability, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, which has raised fears of potential disruptions to global energy supplies. Hariprasad K, a research analyst, noted that escalating rhetoric between the U.S. and Iran has further heightened concerns about supply chain vulnerabilities. The rupee also weakened, nearing a record low of 93.94, down 41 paise from the previous day. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) sold equities worth ₹5,518.39 crore on Friday, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) purchased stocks worth ₹5,706.23 crore. This marked a continued outflow of foreign capital, with FIIs pulling out ₹88,180 crore from Indian equities this month. Asian markets mirrored the global downturn, with South Korea’s Kospi index plunging nearly 6%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 falling over 4.6%, and China’s Shanghai Composite and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng indices trading sharply lower. The U.S. market also closed significantly lower on Friday, reflecting a broad-based risk-off sentiment.#nifty #strait_of_hormuz #sensex #brent_crude_oil #west_asia_conflict
Asian Stocks Drop Amid Oil Price Surge Asian stock markets opened sharply lower on Monday, driven by a sharp rise in oil prices and concerns over economies reliant on Middle Eastern energy imports. South Korea’s Kospi index fell over 7.8% or 437 points to 5,147, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 6.6% or 3,683 points to 51,937. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index also declined, losing 2.4% or 626 points to 25,131. The sell-off followed a surge in global energy prices, with Brent crude oil surpassing $118 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rising 30% from Friday’s close of $90.90. The spike in oil prices, now at its highest level in 14 years, has raised fears of economic strain, particularly for nations dependent on energy imports. The last time oil prices exceeded $100 was in 2022, shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Analysts attribute the recent surge to worries that Middle East tensions could disrupt oil exports from the Persian Gulf, a critical hub for global energy supplies. The rise in energy costs is intensifying pressure on economies already grappling with inflation and trade barriers, including higher tariffs on exports to the United States under former President Donald Trump. The impact of sustained oil prices above $100 per barrel is expected to be severe. Investors are concerned about the combined effects of slowing economic growth and high inflation, which limit the Federal Reserve’s ability to address both challenges simultaneously. Wall Street showed signs of unease ahead of the week, with the S&P 500 declining 1.3% on Friday after data revealed a rise in U.S. job cuts. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell as much as 945 points before closing down 453 points, or 0.9%, while the Nasdaq composite dropped 1.6%. The U.S.#japan #south_korea #hong_kong #brent_crude_oil #us_west_texas_intermediate
