Hong Kong, China stocks tumble as Iran war fears knock down Asian markets

Hong Kong and China Gas

09/03/2026 02:08

SHANGHAI March 9 (Reuters) - Hong Kong and China stocks fell sharply on Monday as the escalating conflict in the Middle East sent oil prices soaring, threatening global growth and hitting risk appetite in markets across Asia.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index .HSI tumbled 3% in early trading to a six-month low.

China's blue-chip CSI300 Index .CSI300 fell 2% to the lowest level this year, while the Shanghai Composite Index .SSEC lost roughly 1.5%.

Meanwhile, China's yuan CNY=CFXS hit the weakest level in a month against the rebounding dollar .DXY.

Oil prices surged on Monday as the expanding U.S.-Israeli war with Iran led some major Middle Eastern oil producers to cut supplies and on fears of prolonged disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint.

Asian equities .MIAPJ0000PUS tumbled on prospects that the Middle East war could leave consumers and businesses worldwide facing weeks or months of higher fuel prices, threatening an already fragile global economy.

 (Reporting by Shanghai Newsroom; Editing by Jamie Freed)

 ((samuel.shen@tr.com))