Stocks slip in Asia as oil and yields climb

Stocks in Asia slipped on Monday as oil prices surged and bond yields climbed, fueled by concerns over a lack of progress in US-Iran relations. American President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, indicating continued tension. Brent crude futures rose 2.7% to $107.16 a barrel, marking almost 18% gains for the month, while US crude added 1.9% to $94.16 a barrel.

High energy prices and tightening refining capacity have pushed diesel prices to record highs, potentially embedding inflation into pricing and wage decisions. Central banks responded with rate hikes, and the Reserve Bank of Australia is likely to tighten policy soon. Expectations for a second Fed hike this October have increased to 68%, with around 90 basis points of tightening priced in through late next year.

Strong US economic data has bolstered expectations for corporate earnings, despite rising bond yields. Global growth, especially in AI investment, has driven equity prices near record levels. However, Japanese and South Korean stocks underperformed, while China's blue chips hit a one-year low, with tech firms hit by US legislation targeting Chinese AI components.

US 30-year Treasuries yields rose to 5.5173%, near their highest since 2004, due to anticipated Fed hikes. The spike in yields raises borrowing costs globally as tech firms fund AI expansion. The US data calendar is packed with inflation, GDP, manufacturing, and jobs reports, with key September payrolls expected to show an 85,000 gain and unemployment at 4.1%, potentially dipping to 4.0%.