South Korea Financial Markets
A dealer watches computer monitors at a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, March 9, 2026.
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Shares have tumbled around the world after oil prices soared to more than $100 a barrel due to disruptions from the war in the Middle East. European shares opened down more than 2% and Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 5.2%. South Korea’s Kospi sank 6.2% and other Asian benchmarks also tumbled. Crude prices have jumped more than 50% since the war started, spiking to their highest levels in 14 years as the conflict ensnares major oil-producing countries, hindering exports from the Persian Gulf. Prices for a barrel of Brent crude and U.S. benchmark crude jumped to almost $120 a barrel early Monday. They fell back below $110 per barrel later in the day.
