[MARKET UPDATE] Mixed start to Asia-Pac trade after US-Iran escalation and with Japan closed for holiday, while KOSPI is pressured on return from a 3-day weekend

The mixed performance in Asia-Pac trade reflects market sensitivity to recent US-Iran tensions, which may elevate geopolitical risk and influence investor sentiment in the region.

Newsquawk StaffPublished 20 Jul 2026, 00:24 UTCOn the live feed at 00:04 UTC — 4 more headlines followed before this page went public

Newsquawk headlinesUTC

00:20

PBoC is expected to set USD/CNY mid-point at 6.7821 (prev. 6.7934)

00:10

At least three explosions were heard in the city of Jask in the Hormozgan province in southern Iran

00:04

[MARKET UPDATE] Mixed start to Asia-Pac trade after US-Iran escalation and with Japan closed for holiday, while KOSPI is pressured on return from a 3-day weekend

00:02

Israel's military says sirens sound in areas of Kfar Aza and Sa'ad

23:58

Explosions reported in Sirik and Khormoj, southern Iran, while a new wave of missiles were launched from Lorestan province in western Iran, towards enemy targets

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Context

Furthermore, with Japan closed for a holiday, trading volumes could be thinner, exacerbating volatility, and the pressure on KOSPI points to potential broader concerns about regional stability or economic outlook. Keep an eye on how this might affect risk assets and safe havens in the coming sessions.

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