Asia Markets Mostly Down as Euro Inflation Hits 2.5%

Asian stock indices closed mostly in negative territory on March 31, 2026. The South Korea's Kospi plummeted by almost 4.3%, while Japan's Nikkei 225 index lost 1%. China's Shanghai Composite index slipped 0.8% and Singapore's Straits Times index ended over 0.2% down.

However, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index defied the trend, rising more than 0.1%

The Euro area annual inflation rate is expected to be 2.5% in March 2026, surpassing the European Central Bank's 2% target. The increase largely reflects a sharp jump in energy prices since the US and Israel launched their military operation against Iran at the end of February.