Asian shares trade mixed as oil prices rise

September 28, 2026 - 01:57

Asian shares traded mixed on Monday as rising oil prices weighed on investor sentiment across the region. The session followed a positive finish on Wall Street last week, where major indexes closed out their first winning week in three, helped by a brief cooldown in energy costs.

Benchmarks in Japan and South Korea moved higher in early trading, supported by gains in technology and manufacturing stocks. Markets in China and Hong Kong slipped, with property and financial shares under pressure. Australian stocks edged lower as energy companies struggled to hold onto recent gains.

The renewed climb in crude oil prices has become a central concern for traders. Higher energy costs can feed into inflation, squeezing household budgets and raising operating expenses for businesses. That combination tends to limit how much central banks can ease policy, even as economic growth shows signs of cooling.

Investors are also watching for fresh economic data due later this week, including manufacturing figures and employment reports from several major economies. Any signs of weakening demand could shift expectations about interest rates and currency moves.

For now, the mood remains cautious. Traders appear unwilling to commit heavily in either direction until they see clearer signals on inflation, energy supply, and the path of global growth.