Oil heads for US$100, Asia stocks subdued as Middle East tensions escalate

Oil prices surged past US$100 per barrel on Wednesday, causing Asian stock markets to remain cautious amid escalating Middle East tensions. The attacks in the region deepened concerns about inflation ahead of US consumer price data release. The yen reached near seven-month high against the dollar as traders offloaded short positions, anticipating faster Bank of Japan interest rate hikes and potential Japanese capital repatriation.

The euro ticked higher before the European Central Bank's policy decision, with expectations of a rate hike due to inflationary pressures from the Iran conflict. Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen attacked several Saudi cities, further complicating a US ally's involvement in the conflict. Concurrently, US forces targeted multiple Iranian oil tankers, while Iran retaliated against a US base in Jordan.

Oil prices climbed for four consecutive days, surpassing US$1 in early trade, with Brent crude reaching US$99.49 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate at US$94.63 a barrel. Japanese stocks experienced slight declines, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng and mainland Chinese blue chips showed modest gains. Semiconductor stocks saw a rebound, and South Korea's KOSPI and Taiwan's TAIEX rose.

Japanese cable makers surged after Verizon and Corning partnered on high-density optical fiber. Analysts noted a mix of indecision in major macro markets, with tight ranges and consolidation patterns. The US Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan are expected to raise interest rates, with even odds for a quarter-point hike from the Fed and a certainty of a quarter-point increase from the BOJ.

The yen strengthened, and the euro slightly improved against the US dollar. Sterling remained relatively stable, while Bitcoin and gold experienced minor gains.