Asian Stocks Extend Declines as Middle East Tensions Remain High

Asian stocks extended losses into a second day as mounting conflict in the Middle East intensified risk-off sentiment among investors.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index dropped as much as 3.1%, setting the gauge on track for its worst two days in 11 months after US and Israeli strikes on Iran. South Korea led equity losses, with the benchmark Kospi plunging 7.2% in its worst session since August 2024.