Asian Stocks Show Mixed Signals as Hang Seng Plummets Amid Critical US-Iran Talks and Oil Market Turmoil

Asian markets showed a mixed picture as geopolitical developments and oil volatility drove divergent moves across the region. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng underperformed, sliding about 1.8% in the morning session as financials and property names weighed on the index, while trading volume rose ~15% above the 30‑day average. Japan’s Japan 225 outperformed (+0.6%) on strong corporate earnings, and South Korea’s KOSPI was largely flat. The start of high‑level US‑Iran talks sent Brent crude futures tumbling ~2.1% before recouping roughly half the losses, adding uncertainty for energy‑importing Asian economies. Analysts and central banks remain cautious, with markets expected to track diplomatic developments, oil price swings and incoming domestic data for direction.