Asian stocks to gain, oil rises on US-Iran strikes: Markets wrap

Asian stocks are poised for modest gains as technology shares on the US market rose on September 4. Oil prices saw a slight increase due to concerns over escalating US-Iran tensions potentially disrupting crude supplies. Futures for Japan and South Korea's equity indices suggest gains at market open, while Australia's market remains steady.

US stock contracts were relatively unchanged following the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100's 0.2% rise and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange Semiconductor Index's 3.4% surge. On September 7, no cash trading of Treasuries will occur due to a US public holiday. Oil prices climbed by 0.5% after Iran targeted three oil tankers and several US-linked vessels in retaliation for American attacks on Iranian tankers.

This ongoing conflict adds pressure to inflation concerns. The upcoming Federal Reserve interest-rate hike in September will hinge on the US August Consumer Price Index (CPI) print. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy announced the strikes but did not specify whether the vessels were hit. Iran later claimed to have attacked a US naval drone and an American unmanned surface vessel.

Iran’s top security official, Mohsen Rezaee, mentioned the declaration of a new restricted zone outside the Strait of Hormuz. In Asia, the yen fluctuated around 156 per dollar after last week's more than 2% gain. Speculation has grown that Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) may increase its target allocation to domestic bonds.

China's Ministry of Finance will inject 300 billion yuan into its largest banks and insurers to ease margin pressure and expand lending capacity. European bonds, such as German bunds, will be closely watched on September 7 after the far-right Alternative for Germany scored its best-ever result in a state election. The euro was stable in early Asian trading. West Texas Intermediate crude rose by 0.8% to $92.18 a barrel.