Asia Mostly Down After Bombing of Iran

Asia-Pacific markets mostly declined Monday, after the United States’ attack on three nuclear sites in Iran raised oil prices and investors’ fears of an escalation in the Middle East conflict.Oil prices fell in late Asian hours, reversing course from gains earlier in the day.Brent Crude was trading at $76.75 U.S. per barrel after falling 0.32% as of 4.23 p.m. Singapore time, while the West Texas Intermediate crude lost 0.33% to $73.6.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 dipped 49.14 points, or 0.1%, to 38,354.09. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng gained 158.65 points, or 0.7%, to 23,689.13. In other markets In Shanghai, the CSI 300 picked up 11.26 points, or 0.3%, to 3,857.09 In Korea, the Kospi index subtracted 7.37 points, or 0.2%, to 3,014.47.In Taiwan, the Taiex index wilted 313.72 points, or 1.4%, to 21,832.02.In Singapore, the Straits Times index deleted 4.17 points, or 0.1%, to 3,879.26. In New Zealand, the NZX 50 returned to trading after a long weekend with a loss of 36.41 points, or 0.3%, to 12,532,65.In Australia, the ASX 200 backpedaled 30.6 points, or 0.4%, to 8,474.89.