financetom
World
financetom
/
World
/
Foreign outflows hit Asian stocks as Iran war drives oil shock fears
News World Market Environment Technology Personal Finance Politics Retail Business Economy Cryptocurrency Forex Stocks Market Commodities
Foreign outflows hit Asian stocks as Iran war drives oil shock fears
Mar 24, 2026 1:15 AM

March 24 (Reuters) - Asian stocks have seen heavy foreign outflows so far in March as disruptions to Middle East energy supply from the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran stoked fears of an oil shock and stagflation risks.

Foreign investors have sold a net $50.45 billion worth of regional equities so far this month, on track for the largest monthly outflows since at least 2008, LSEG data covering exchanges in South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines showed.

"Outflows from EM Asia markets were driven by the broad-based risk-off sentiment due to the Middle East conflicts, as most of EM Asia economies are net importers of energy products," said Jason Lui, the head of APAC equity and derivative strategy at BNP Paribas.

Benchmark Brent crude oil prices surged as much as 65% this month to $119.5 a barrel.

Abdelaziz Albogdady, a market research and fintech strategy manager at brokerage FXEM, said that the outflows were exacerbated by the ensuing rise in global yields and a reassessment of rate expectations, in addition to the potential economic impact on net oil importers.

Recent policy signals from major central banks indicate that interest rates are likely to remain on hold or move higher if the conflict continues to heap pressure on prices.

Taiwanese stocks have seen about $25.28 billion in outflows month-to-date, the largest in at least 18 years, while South Korea and India have recorded about $13.5 billion and $10.17 billion in net foreign sales, respectively.

"Outflows in Taiwan and South Korea were mostly focused on AI/technology stocks given they have accumulated sizable gains during the AI boom," BNP Paribas' Lui said.

Tech hardware stocks in Korea and China, however, remain among the most promising segments, seeing limited immediate direct impact from the Middle East conflict or higher energy prices, analysts at Nomura said in a note on Monday.

Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam also recorded net outflows of $1.35 billion, $182 million and $21 million, respectively, while Indonesia attracted net inflows of $59 million over the same period.

Lui said EM Asia markets are likely to remain volatile in the near-term amid contradictory headlines and elevated geopolitical risks.

"Unlike the Liberation Day scenario during which the U.S. can unilaterally decide on the tariff threshold, the current energy shock may take longer to normalize given the disruption to the production facilities in the Middle East."

Comments
Welcome to financetom comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Related Articles >
CANADA STOCKS-TSX opens lower on profit-taking; budget proposal awaited
CANADA STOCKS-TSX opens lower on profit-taking; budget proposal awaited
Nov 4, 2025
Nov 4 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index fell over 1% on Tuesday, tracking a global risk-off mood as investors locked in profits, while the market awaited the country's budget proposal later in the day. At 9:31 a.m. ET, Toronto's S&P/TSX composite index fell 1.22% to 29,906.9 points. ...
Asian Equities Traded in the US as American Depositary Receipts Decline in Tuesday Trading
Asian Equities Traded in the US as American Depositary Receipts Decline in Tuesday Trading
Nov 4, 2025
10:48 AM EST, 11/04/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Asian equities traded in the US as American depositary receipts were tracking lower Tuesday morning, declining 0.73% to 2,717.93 on the S&P Asia 50 ADR Index. From North Asia, the gainers were led by education company Four Seasons Education ( FEDU ) and pet-focused platform Boqii ( BQ ) , which climbed 6.9%...
CANADA STOCKS-TSX hits over one-month low on profit-taking, budget proposal awaited
CANADA STOCKS-TSX hits over one-month low on profit-taking, budget proposal awaited
Nov 4, 2025
Nov 4 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index slid over 1% on Tuesday and was at its weakest since late September with investors cashing in gains and bracing for the budget due shortly, amid a global risk-off mood. At 9:50 a.m. ET, Toronto's S&P/TSX composite index dropped 1.3% to 29,891.04 points - its lowest since September 26. Canada's Prime Minister...
European Equities Traded in the US as American Depositary Receipts Track Lower in Tuesday Trading
European Equities Traded in the US as American Depositary Receipts Track Lower in Tuesday Trading
Nov 4, 2025
11:14 AM EST, 11/04/2025 (MT Newswires) -- European equities traded in the US as American depositary receipts were trending lower late Tuesday morning, declining 0.5% to 1,584.6 on the S&P Europe Select ADR Index. From continental Europe, the gainers were led by biopharmaceutical companies DBV Technologies ( DBVT ) and Genfit ( GNFT ) , which rose 5.5% and 5.2%...
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.financetom.com All Rights Reserved