Australia’s stock market opened slightly lower on Friday, March 13, reflecting broader weakness across Pacific and Asian markets as investors reacted to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 slipped about 0.3% in early trading, as traders moved cautiously amid fears that the conflict could disrupt global trade routes and increase economic uncertainty worldwide.

Regional Markets Across Asia Also Decline

The negative sentiment quickly spread across major markets in Asia. Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped around 2%, while the broader TOPIX index lost 1.4%. Shares of Honda Motor fell more than 6%, becoming the biggest drag on the Nikkei after the automaker warned it could record its first annual loss in nearly 70 years.

South Korean equities also experienced heavy selling. The benchmark Kospi slumped almost 3%, while the technology-focused Kosdaq declined close to 2%.

Elsewhere in the region, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index edged down 0.2%, while mainland China’s CSI 300 managed to rise slightly by 0.3%.

Attacks on Gulf Shipping Heighten Market Anxiety

Investor concerns intensified after reports that three commercial ships were attacked in the Gulf on March 11. One of the vessels was reportedly left in flames, raising alarm over the safety of shipping routes near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime trade corridors.

In a speech delivered Thursday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei suggested that the strait should remain closed and warned that Tehran could expand its military operations if the conflict continues.

Meanwhile, Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, reinforced the warning in a social media post, threatening severe retaliation against adversaries.

Because a large portion of global energy shipments passes through the Strait of Hormuz, any disruption to the route could have significant consequences for international trade and economic stability.

Wall Street Slides to 2026 Lows

The cautious sentiment was also visible in the United States overnight, where major indexes closed sharply lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped nearly 740 points, falling below 47,000 for the first time in 2026.

The S&P 500 declined 1.5% to close at 6,672.62, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 1.8% to end the session at 22,311.98.

Investors Await Key U.S. Inflation Data

Market participants are now focused on upcoming U.S. economic data for further clues about the global outlook.

Economists surveyed by Reuters expect the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index, the inflation gauge closely monitored by the Federal Reserve, to rise 2.9% year-over-year in January. The core index is projected to increase to 3.1%.

At the same time, prediction platform Kalshi shows rising bets that the U.S. economy could enter a recession this year, with the probability climbing to 32%, its highest level so far in 2026.

With geopolitical risks and economic uncertainty growing, investors across the Pacific and Asian markets are expected to remain cautious in the near term.